[3] Yu Dabao started his football career playing for second-tier side Qingdao Hailifeng and was soon called up to the Chinese under-17 national team.

[3] This saw many clubs reportedly interested in the Yu including Ajax, Newcastle United, and Rangers; however, he joined Benfica on a three-year deal.

By 13 May 2009, Yu revealed in a telephone interview that he was about to leave to spend the offseason back in his homeland; however, he received a call from Benfica asking him to stay until further notice.

On 27 December 2014, Yu transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan after Dalian was relegated at the end of the 2014 season.

[9] Yu's first goal for Guoan came on 17 March 2015, in an AFC Champions League match against Japanses club Urawa Red Diamonds.

[2] Yu was called up to the Chinese national team by then manager Gao Hongbo and made his debut on 18 December 2010 in a 3–0 win against Estonia.

[13] Yu's most extraordinary goal occurred during the Third Round of AFC's 2018 World Cup Qualifying in a match against South Korea.