Zhejiang Professional Football Club (Chinese: 浙江职业足球俱乐部; pinyin: Zhèjiāng Zhíyè Zúqiú Jùlèbù), commonly referred to as Zhejiang FC or simply Zhejiang and currently known as Zhejiang F.C. Greentown (Chinese: 浙江俱乐部绿城) for sponsorship reasons, is a Chinese professional football club based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, that competes in the Chinese Super League, the top tier of Chinese football. Zhejiang plays its home matches at the Huanglong Sports Center, located within Xihu District. The club's main investors are the Zhejiang-based Greentown China Holdings Limited company and the Zhejiang Energy Group.
The club was founded on January 14, 1998, as Zhejiang Green Town, making their debut in the third tier of China's football league pyramid in the 1999 league season. On November 23, 2000, the club bought the playing right for the Chinese Football Association Jia League as well as 32 players from the first team of Jilin Aodong for 25 million Yuan. They have subsequently won promotion to the top tier after finishing runners-up in the 2006 league season. The highest position they have ever finished is third, achieved in the 2022 and 2023 Chinese Super League seasons.
Contents
History
Zhejiang Green Town Football Club Co., Ltd. was officially established on January 14, 1998, with a capital base of 16 million yuan. Zeng Leming was appointed as general manager. Greentown Real Estate Company, Hangzhou Qiantang Real Estate Company, Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Provincial Football Association all participated in the creation and registration of the club. The team participated in the third tier with Bao Yingfu as their first head coach. They made the play-offs in 2000 before losing to Tianjin Lifei.
In November 2000, the club bought the playing rights to participate in the Chinese Football Association Jia League as well as 32 players from Yanbian F.C. for 25 million Yuan. Under the new general manager Shen Qiang, the club failed to win promotion to the top tier league, as several players and coaches were discovered to be taking bribes to throw games. Offending participants were banned for a year and the club had to reform and re-apply for a CFA playing license. The club then went through several management changes as well as a significant ownership shift, which saw Song Weiping's company Greentown China Holdings Limited take a 96% share of the team for 20 million yuan in 2005 while Zhejiang University held on to 4%.
The team achieved promotion at the end of the 2006 league season when they came second in the division.
Hangzhou Greentown
In 2009, the club renamed itself to Hangzhou Greentown Football Club.
The club was set to be relegated at the end of the 2009 season, but were allowed to stay remain in the 2010 CFA Super League after it was discovered that Chengdu Blades and Guangzhou GPC were guilty of match-fixing.
After the 2009 season, the club signed several established Chinese internationals such as Du Wei, Li Yan and Wang Song. The club's results significantly improved throughout the 2010 league campaign, which saw them achieve their highest ever finish of fourth and a chance to play in the 2011 AFC Champions League for the first time.
They were relegated to the 2017 China League One after finishing in second-to-last place in the 2016 Chinese Super League.
Aiming to win the 2017 National Games of China, Hangzhou Greentown prioritized the club's youth. However, the team struggled near the relegation zone in their first season of China League. Young trainer Xu Lei filled for manager Hong Myung-bo and the team returned to 9th place in the league. Former player and veteran Jiao Fengbo returned as the new general manager.
Zhejiang Greentown
On 14 January 2018, the club changed their name to Zhejiang Greentown Football Club for the 20th anniversary of the club. They reached third place in the China League.
Zhejiang Energy Greentown
In September 2020, the team changed their name to Zhejiang Energy Greentown Football Club, as Zhejiang Energy Group stepped in as one of the major shareholders and Song Weiping officially quit the club.
Rebrand to Zhejiang
On 26 February 2021, according to the requirements of non-corporate change of club name by the Chinese Football Association, the club's name changed to Zhejiang Professional Football Club.
Return to the AFC Champions League
Zhejiang finished third in the 2022 Chinese Super League season, qualifying for the 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage.
On 20 June 2024, AFC confirmed Zhejiang would participate in the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage. Zhejiang was placed in Group F alongside Thai club Port FC, Singaporean club Lion City Sailors and Indonesian club Persib Bandung.
2026 Chinese Super League season
In 2026, Zhejiang started the 2026 Chinese Super League season with five points deducted for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship as they engaged in improper transactions to seek illegitimate benefits.
Current squad
First team
As of July 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Reserve team
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable players
Players who have played for Zhejiang and represented their nations at senior level.
Coaching staff
As of 21 February 2025
Managerial history
As of Beginning of 2025 Chinese league season
Records
Most league points in a season: 74 (China League, season 2021)
Record victory: 6–0 v Tianjin Lifei (Jia B, 21 April 2001)
Record defeat: 0–6 v Changchun Yatai (Jia B, 6 October 2001)
Record attendance: 48,000 v Shanghai Zhongyuan (Jia B, 19 May 2001)
Most league appearances: Cao Xuan (221)
Top scorer: Nyasha Mushekwi (43 goals)
Top league scorer: Nyasha Mushekwi (42 goals)
Most league goals scored by a player in a season: Nyasha Mushekwi (23 goals, China League, season 2021)
Honours
Major
Chinese Super League
Third: 2022, 2023
China League One
Runners-up: 2006, 2020
Third: 2005, 2018, 2021
CFA Cup
Runners-up: 2022
Third: 2002 (shared), 2006 (shared)
Minor / Reserve / Youth
CSL Reserve League
Third: 2014
CSL Elite League (U19)
Champion: 2015
China League Reserve League
Runners-up: 2017
National Games of China
Champions: 2021 (U20)
Runners-up: 2017 (U20), 2013 (U18)
Third: 2013 (U20)
Results
All-time League rankings
As of the end of 2025 season.
^1Bought the first team of Jilin Aodong as well as their position in second tier.
^2Two CSL clubs were involved in match-fixing scandal and relegated to China League, so Hangzhou Greentown could stay at top level.
^3Failed to achieve promotion in the play-off.
^4Promotion was achieved via the play-off.
Key
Feeder teams
Hangzhou Luyuan (1999–2003) [Youth team of Zhejiang Green Town FC]
2000, 2001 Chinese Yi League
Ningbo Huaao (2006) [Youth team of Zhejiang Green Town FC]
2006 China D2 League
Wenzhou Provenza (2011) [U19 team of Hangzhou Greentown FC]
2011 China D2 League
International friendlies
On 26 July 2009, Manchester United visited the Huanglong Stadium and played a friendly against Hangzhou Greentown as part of their pre-season Asian tour. Manchester United won by 8 goals to 2.
On 16 July 2011, Arsenal visited the Meihu Stadium and played a friendly against Hangzhou Greentown as part of their pre-season Asian tour. The game was drawn 1–1.
Zhejiang Greentown also played two friendly games at the Mini Estadi in 2017 and 2019, against FC Barcelona B with the Spanish side won 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.
Rivals
Because there are not many football clubs based on Zhejiang in history, Zhejiang FC has rarely been able to have a rival in the province for a long time. In 2017, after being relegated to China League, Hangzhou Greentown briefly had a 2-seasons Zhejiang derby with Zhejiang Yiteng but only won 1 out of 4 matches. More often than not, Zhejiang FC has a stronger rivalry with other teams of the same level in the Wu Chinese region, particularly Shanghai Shenhua, and Shanghai Zhongyuan historically.