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 Brentford B, the reserve team of Premier League club Brentford F.C.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kim Ji-soo
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-12-24) 24 December 2004
Place of birth Bucheon, South Korea
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Brentford B
Number 36
Youth career
2017–2019 Seongnam FC (U15)
2020–2022 Pungsaeng High School[lower-greek 1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Seongnam FC 20 (0)
2023– Brentford B 0 (0)
International career‡
2019–2020 South Korea U17 16 (1)
2023– South Korea U20 11 (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, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Seongnam FC

Kim joined the youth academy of Seongnam FC and worked his way up their youth categories.[2] On 7 February 2022, he signed his first semi-professional contract with the club ahead of the 2022 K League 1 season.[2] 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.[3] On 18 October 2022, he was registered as a fully professional player.[4] He made 19 appearances in his debut season with Seongnam, earning interest from clubs abroad.[5]

Brentford

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.[6][7]

International career

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.[8] He became one of the most notable players in the latter competition after helping his team reach the semi-finals.[9]

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.[10][11]

Style of play

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.[3]

Career statistics
As of match played 8 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Seongnam FC 2022 K League 1 19000———190
2023 K League 2 1010———20
Total 20010000000210
Career total 20010000000210

    Notes
    1. Under-18 team of Seongnam FC

    References
    1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Korea Republic (KOR)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 May 2023. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
    2. [오피셜] 성남, 만 17세 2004년생 DF 김지수와 준프로 계약 (in Korean). InterFootball. 7 February 2022.
    3. 2004년생 '대형 센터백' 성남 김지수, 유럽 관심 더 높아지고 있다 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 7 March 2023.
    4. 전북 강상윤·성남 김지수 등 K리그 2023시즌 우선지명 선수 발표 (in Korean). Money Today. 18 October 2022.
    5. "Bayern Munich scouting 19-year old South Korean wonderkid". Bavarian Football Works. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
    6. "Brentford sign Ji-soo Kim". Brentford F.C. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
    7. "Brentford sign promising South Korean defender Kim". BBC Sport. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
    8. U-20 아시안컵 참가 명단 확정, 3월 2일 오만과 첫 경기 (in Korean). KFA. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
    9. "SCOUTED XI: Our U-20 World Cup Team of the Tournament". Scouted Notebook. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
    10. 명단 발표 [List announcement] (in Korean). Korea Football Association. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
    11. Paik, Ji-Hwan (28 August 2023). "Klinsmann makes some changes ahead of September friendlies". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 28 August 2023.


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