Huang Zichang: Since Yunnan Yukun trusts me, I will continue to enjoy football.

Reporter Lu Mi reports On January 5th, Yunnan Yukun confirmed the addition of ten players: Huang Zichang, Xu Xin, Shi Ke, Deng Hanwen, Bao Yaxiong, Fernando, Yang Zihao, Wang Zhifeng, Kleber, and Caio. As the club’s first signing for the new season, Huang Zichang was touched by the club’s earnestness and team spirit. He also hopes to develop further within the tactical framework of new coach Jordi and keep his love for football alive.

Every turn on the pitch marks a farewell to the past and a stride toward the future. From his early promise at Jiangsu Suning, to his growth at Wuhan, and then four years of mutual development at Henan, Huang Zichang’s football journey intertwines passion, highlights, ups and downs, and steadfastness…

◆《Football》: When you joined Henan in 2022, you had just gone through a challenging phase in your career. What was the main reason for choosing to settle in Central China at that time?

Huang Zichang: I left Wuhan in 2022 when the overall environment of Chinese football was not very good. Initially, Chengdu contacted me earlier, and I was close to signing with them. Then Henan’s club president Chen Ming and then-coach Javier reached out to me, warmly inviting me to join and emphasizing Henan’s greatest strength: stability. I hesitated between the two clubs at first, but President Chen explained Javier’s team-building ideas and how they planned to use me in detail. I felt their sincere intentions, and more importantly, I believed Javier’s football philosophy aligned well with my own ideas. That’s why I ultimately chose Henan.

◆During your four years at Henan, you gradually became a key player up front and reached the milestone of 100 matches. Looking back on these 113 games, which moment made you feel that coming here was worthwhile?

Actually, it’s quite simple but telling. When I first came to Henan, I only signed a one-year contract, later extended to 1+3 years. My performance in the first year was good, with solid stats. In the latter half of that year and the next, Henan faced problems common to many clubs. Even so, because of my first-year performance, several clubs contacted me, but I chose to stay at Henan. This shows I genuinely wanted to be here.

Despite the circumstances, I still felt this was a very good team. Although financially tight, the entire team atmosphere was very positive, and the fans appreciated me a lot. For me, these things mattered more than anything else, so I didn’t hesitate to stay. This reflects my feelings and recognition for Henan and its supporters. That feeling made my decision to come here very worthwhile.

◆Whether at Suning or Wuhan, you experienced salary delays to varying degrees, and even during tough times at Henan, you still chose to stay. This feeling can’t be measured by money, right?

For me, money has never been the top priority. If I felt I couldn’t help the team or lacked new challenges, I wouldn’t take the club’s money without meaning. At this stage in my career, I value self-worth and challenges more than just financial factors. Only when I believe I deserve my salary and can contribute to the team will I feel comfortable staying. If I were just a fringe player with a good contract, it would be a waste for the club, and I wouldn’t want that. So whether at Suning, Wuhan, or during difficult times at Henan, my choice to stay was driven more by emotion, recognition, and responsibility to the team — things money can’t measure.

◆After your contract expired, did the club discuss renewal with you?

The club did talk to me about extending my contract and discussed some performance-related details, but it was mostly about gauging intentions first. From this process, I sensed that tactically, I might not be the team’s priority, especially toward the end of the season. After the match against Chengdu, I suffered a head injury, and later when we played Zhejiang, my physical condition wasn’t great. By year-end, when I recovered, I noticed the team’s recruitment overlapped with my position (I was positioned as an attacking midfielder). I could tell the team had found players they thought were a better fit.

That was fine with me. I’ve always believed every player is excellent in their own right. What I can do is keep training hard, finish this final period well, and push the intensity in training so the starters get better competition and more realistic match simulations. That was my honest mindset at the time.

◆You scored decisive goals, free-kick winners, and even the club’s 1000th goal in history for Henan. These key goals are memorable for the club, but what do they mean to you personally?

For me, these goals are definitely special, but more importantly, they represent the mutual achievements between me and Henan. I deeply love this club. In my first three years here, I was almost ever-present, quickly surpassing 90 games. That feeling of being needed gave me strong recognition in my career. The fans gave me lots of confidence and support. In the third year, I even became vice-captain, which was a huge affirmation for me.

Although the club went through tough times, the whole team united and overcame difficulties together, and the results were not bad. The great fan atmosphere, the recognition I received, and the “Most Popular Domestic Player” award from the Red Devils are precious memories for me. Scoring winning goals, free-kick winners, and the club’s 1000th goal are not just honors but a testament to our growth over these four years. This experience makes me very happy and proud.

◆《Football》: Last year, Henan reached the FA Cup final, the closest you’ve been to a title representing Henan. You also experienced ups and downs personally. How did this year feel different from before?

Huang Zichang: Last year was indeed the closest I got to a championship with Henan and a year of significant personal fluctuations, so my reflections are deeper. In early winter training last year, I had some unpleasant exchanges with the head coach. Looking back, the main problem was my own immaturity. The 2024 coach actually respected me a lot and gave me many chances and the ball, which I appreciated and felt grateful for. Last year, my mindset wasn’t adjusted well, which greatly affected my later form. After Ramos took over, I got a head injury in training, but since the team needed me, he said I could play as long as I wanted. I really wanted to contribute more, so I kept playing.

Looking back on last year as a whole, neither my physical nor mental state was at its best, so my season fluctuated a lot, and my mindset was impacted. I didn’t want to bring negative emotions to my teammates or the team, so I often locked myself in my room to process things alone. During that time, I thought a lot, understood what I needed, and realized what kind of player I wanted to become.

◆In the final phase of last season, your tactical role changed significantly, causing a big drop. Did you feel reluctant inside? What mental struggles did you go through during this process?

I felt I didn’t meet the team’s expectations and wasn’t fully integrated into the coach’s tactical plans. Every coach has their preferred player types, which is normal. It’s neither the coach’s fault nor the player’s. When I first joined Henan, Javier’s recognition made me believe I could improve and contribute here. When my tactical role changed, I naturally felt disappointed but not devastated. I mostly reflected on whether I had worked hard enough. The coach has his judgments and choices, which I respect. Ultimately, I chose to leave mainly for my career development, hoping to find a place with more playing time, not out of resentment or complaints.

◆Looking back at Henan after leaving, what do you regret the most?

The FA Cup final, again in Suzhou, where many of my family and friends came to watch. Although I didn’t play, not winning the championship was a big regret for me. This was my second FA Cup final in Suzhou — the first representing Jiangsu Suning, this time Henan. Whether I played or not, I sincerely hoped the team would win. I especially wanted to win a title to say a proper goodbye to the fans before leaving, but I didn’t succeed. That’s my biggest regret.

◆You once said “Regret is a normal part of life.” From Jiangsu to Henan and now Yunnan, each departure is mixed with reluctance and hope. How do you view farewells and reunions in a footballer’s career?

To me, farewells and reunions are just parts of professional football. From Jiangsu to Henan to Yunnan, every move comes with reluctance and anticipation, but that’s the growth path of a player. I’ve experienced good form and also ups and downs. Looking back now, I understand that in professional football, there are no permanent smooth times or eternal stars. Each stage has its challenges, and regret is indeed common.

My current mindset is simple: live each day well, do every training and match properly, and not think too far ahead. I see the outside opinions — some praise, some criticism, even calls that I’m “finished” or “no good.” It can hurt, but I know I’ve always worked hard and persisted. I never considered myself a naturally gifted player; I’ve gotten this far through diligence and effort. In my first year at Henan, I performed well and earned tolerance and recognition. When form fluctuated, doubts naturally arose, which is normal. I can honestly say I’ve always maintained high attendance and never done anything to betray the team. Farewell is not the end, and reunion may happen someday. All I can do is keep moving forward, stay passionate, and keep working hard.

◆《Football》: How was the process of contacting Yunnan Yukun? What were your main considerations during this time?

Huang Zichang: Yukun reached out to me early, and the process was very pleasant. The investors called me almost weekly to ask my thoughts, and I gave honest feedback. The whole process made me feel the club was very down-to-earth, and the investors were humble, which I saw as respect toward me.

◆You and Zhao Yuhao joined Henan in the same year, were teammates for two years, and now reunited at Yunnan Yukun. How does that feel?

As captain, Hao has always earned my respect. He’s generous and keeps the team atmosphere very cohesive. Since I joined, I’ve felt everyone is playing happily together and the relationships are very harmonious.

◆Jordi will lead Yunnan Yukun this new season, having coached in China for many years. How well do you know him?

My knowledge of Coach Jordi mainly comes from his time at Zhejiang. Many former teammates told me that under him, they learned a lot. Jordi’s tactical philosophy leans European, especially the Spanish and Barcelona-style possession system, which demands high tactical awareness from players. After meetings these days, I clearly feel he’s a thoughtful coach who explains things clearly and systematically. For me, the most important thing now is to train well, fight for playing time in his system, and learn more tactical ideas and football understanding from him, which will help me improve.

◆Last year, Yunnan Yukun, as a newly promoted team to the Super League, showed strong competitiveness. Henan played them twice, drawing once and losing once, gaining no advantage. What is your first impression of this team?

In the first match, Henan was away and I didn’t play due to injury. In the second match, I played and felt this team is very tough. Their ball transitions are very quick, and on the field, you can sense their unity — everyone is aligned and working hard together. Their impact on the pitch is very strong.

◆How is the initial chemistry with new teammates like Xu Xin and Deng Hanwen? Are there details that make you more confident about the new season?

We haven’t trained together long yet, so the overall chemistry is still in its early stages. The past few days were tiring, so training details haven’t shown much. However, the players are familiar with each other. For example, Deng Hanwen and I have met many times in the U23 and national teams, so we understand each other well. We often match up in training; he defends fiercely and is also capable offensively. Xu Xin strikes me as very creative, often delivering threatening passes. Shi Ke is very clear and reasonable in his decision-making when handling the ball and transitioning from defense to attack.

◆Have you adapted to training at high altitude?

The first few days at altitude were quite tiring, with heavy cardiopulmonary pressure and breathlessness during training. But I’ve gradually adapted these days, and my physical condition is improving. Regarding life, I plan to rent a place here after the New Year and bring my wife and one-year-old child over. We’ll stay in Yunnan during summer and winter, and visit home in spring and autumn so the child can spend more time with grandparents.

◆Do you value team stability or your personal tactical role more now? What does the contract from Yukun mean to you?

Now I care more about the team’s overall environment rather than my individual tactical role. Two things matter most to me: first, the team’s results — I want stability, more wins, and for fans to enjoy watching and happily go home; second, the team atmosphere — everyone training and living together harmoniously and happily, which means more to me than anything. This contract from Yukun represents a fresh start and trust for me. I hope to regain stability in such an environment, contribute to the team, and continue enjoying football.

◆Yukun’s goals for the new season are clear, and you’re no longer a young player. At this stage of your career, what do you most want to pursue?

At this age, my pursuit is simple: winning. I’m very competitive; even in intra-team matches, I dislike losing. Once on the pitch, I want to win. That’s how competitive sports should be — results matter. The club discussed many plans and recruitment ideas for the new season with me, and I feel their boldness and determination, which makes me very excited about the upcoming season.

◆As a newcomer, what would you like to say to Yukun fans?

First, I want to thank the Henan fans! Over these years, I’ve experienced many ups and downs, but they have always been tolerant, supportive, and encouraging. On the day of the FA Cup final, our fans even outnumbered Beijing Guoan’s, and I’m truly grateful for their trust all these years. To Yukun fans, I say welcome to come watch the games and please support the team. I am Yukun’s first signing this year, and I believe I can help the team. No matter what, I will give 100% effort and believe we can perform well in our second Super League season.