Kim Ji-soo (footballer)

Kim Ji-soo (Korean: 김지수; born 24 December 2004) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Brentford.

Kim Ji-soo
Personal information
Full name 김지수
Date of birth (2004-12-24) 24 December 2004 (age 19)
Place of birth Bucheon, South Korea
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Brentford
Number 36
Youth career
2017–2022 Seongnam FC[note 1]
2023–2024 Brentford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Seongnam FC 20 (0)
2023– Brentford 0 (0)
International career
2019–2020 South Korea U17 16 (1)
2023– South Korea U20 11 (0)
2023– South Korea U23 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:15, 26 June 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:15, 27 March 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Seongnam FC

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Kim joined the youth academy of Seongnam FC and worked his way up their youth categories.[1] On 7 February 2022, he signed his first semi-professional contract with the club ahead of the 2022 K League 1 season.[1] In doing so, he became the club's first ever semi-pro player, as well as their youngest registered player in the league that season.[2] On 18 October 2022, he was registered as a fully professional player.[3] He made 19 appearances in his debut season with Seongnam, earning interest from clubs abroad.[4]

Brentford

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On 26 June 2023, Kim joined Premier League club Brentford for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract with the club, with an option for an additional year, and being assigned to the B team.[5][6] During a season at the B team, he was on the list of senior squad in eight Premier League matches, but did not make his senior debut.[7]

On 7 June 2024, Kim was officially promoted to the senior team,[8] becoming the first-ever Korean centre-back to be affiliated to a Premier League club.[9]

International career

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Kim is a youth international of South Korea, and played in the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup and 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[10] He became one of the most notable players in the latter competition after helping his team reach the semi-finals.[11]

In August 2023, Kim received his first call-up to the South Korea senior national team by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, for two friendly matches against Wales and Saudi Arabia.[12][13]

Style of play

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Kim is a centre-back who has power, height and quick feet. He is able to score, and can play with both feet. He has been frequently compared to Kim Min-jae in his country due to his playing style.[2]

Career statistics

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As of match played 17 September 2024[7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Seongnam FC 2022 K League 1 19 0 0 0 19 0
2023 K League 2 1 0 1 0 2 0
Total 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
Brentford 2024–25 Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Career total 20 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 0

Honours

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Individual

Notes

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  1. ^ Played for Seongnam FC U15 from 2017 to 2019, and Pungsaeng High School [ko] from 2020 to 2022, which were academies of Seongnam FC.

References

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  1. ^ a b [오피셜] 성남, 만 17세 2004년생 DF 김지수와 준프로 계약 (in Korean). InterFootball. 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b 2004년생 '대형 센터백' 성남 김지수, 유럽 관심 더 높아지고 있다 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 7 March 2023.
  3. ^ 전북 강상윤·성남 김지수 등 K리그 2023시즌 우선지명 선수 발표 (in Korean). Money Today. 18 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Bayern Munich scouting 19-year old South Korean wonderkid". Bavarian Football Works. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Brentford sign Ji-soo Kim". Brentford F.C. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Brentford sign promising South Korean defender Kim". BBC Sport. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b Kim Ji-soo at Soccerway
  8. ^ "Ji-soo Kim and Ben Winterbottom promoted to Brentford's first-team squad". Brentford F.C. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  9. ^ ‘한국 최초 EPL 센터백 탄생’ 2004년생 김지수, 브렌트퍼드 1군 승격 [공식발표] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  10. ^ U-20 아시안컵 참가 명단 확정, 3월 2일 오만과 첫 경기 (in Korean). KFA. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  11. ^ "SCOUTED XI: Our U-20 World Cup Team of the Tournament". Scouted Notebook. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  12. ^ 명단 발표 [List announcement] (in Korean). Korea Football Association. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  13. ^ Paik, Ji-Hwan (28 August 2023). "Klinsmann makes some changes ahead of September friendlies". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 K-League XI". Tottenham Hotspur. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
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