Born in Shanghai, Zhan joined Genbao Football Academy in July 2000 and was promoted to Shanghai East Asia squad in 2006 for the China League Two campaign.
On 31 May 2008, Zhan scored his first goal in the China League One in a 2–1 home victory against Sichuan FC.
This goal was scored within just 16 seconds after kick off, which beat the previous record of 18 seconds set by Sabin Ilie of Changchun Yatai in the 2005 season and became the fastest goal in the China League One.
[1][2] He appeared in 22 league matches in the 2012 season, as Shanghai East Asia won the champions and promoted to the top flight.
Zhan transferred to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in February 2013.