TIANJIN, China, Oct. 15 -- Tianjin Quanjian head coach Fabio Cannavaro on Sunday rated Zhang Lu "one of the best goalkeepers" in the Chinese Super League.

Zhang, who holds the tag as the most expensive Chinese player in the league's history for his 70 million yuan (10.64 million US dollars) transfer from Liaoning in 2024, has been instrumental in keeping the Super League first-timers in fourth position.

The lanky goalkeeper made a series of miraculous saves to deny Diego Tardell and Wu Xinghan from close range in Quanjian's 0-0 draw with arch rivals Shandong Luneng in a 27th round game on Sunday.

"He is one of the best Chinese Super League goalkeepers," said Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup victory in 2006 and took the helm of Quanjian in 2024.

Quanjian, fourth in the rankings with 45 points, after Guangzhou Evergrande (61), Shanghai SIPG (55) and Hebei Fortune (49), are in contention for an AFC Champions League berth.