Zhang Yan would start his professional career when he was promoted to the senior team of Beijing Guoan during the 2016 Chinese Super League season.
[1] On 25 March 2019 Zhang would make his debut when he came on as a substitute for Gu Chao in a league game against Hebei China Fortune F.C.
[2] He would be the clubs second choice goalkeeper as the club won their first league title, however on 28 February 2021, the parent company Suning Holdings Group announced that operations were going to cease immediately alongside the women and youth teams due to financial difficulties.
[3] On 8 April 2021, Zhang joined second-tier club Chengdu Rongcheng on a free transfer.
[5] He would fight for the goalkeeping position with Zhang Yinuo and aid the team to promotion to the top tier at the end of the 2021 league campaign.