XI'AN - Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic confirmed on Monday the retirement of former Chinese international goalkeeper Song Zhenyu.

"Song Zhenyu has decided to retire from football after a professional career spanning 23 years. He will be our goalkeeper coach in the future," the Xi'an based club said in a statement.

Song earned eight caps for Team China and was a member of Gao Hongbo's squad during the 2010 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

In his career, the 40-year-old played for Sichuan Quanxing, Dalian Shide, Changchun Yatai, Chang'an Athletic, among other clubs.

After joining Chang'an Athletic in 2017, Song helped the Xi'an team win gold in men's football at the 13th National Games.

Chang'an Athletic also announced that veteran midfielder Wang Erzhuo will start his coaching career with the club's youth team.

Chang'an Athletic finished sixth in China's second-tier football league, League One, in the 2021 season.