Zhang Yalin started his football career in the 2000 Chinese league season for Dalian Shide F.C.
[2] By 2006 in his personal life he married Jia Nini (贾妮妮), a Chinese model and actress.
[3] They named their daughter, who was born 12 July 2007, Zhang Shijia (张诗伽).
[4] On 14 February 2010, Zhang died of lymphoma in Dalian, aged 28, after two years with the disease.
[5] Since his death, his shirt number of 26 has been retired in his honour by Dalian Shide.