▲ In this file photo from March 21, 2021, Ki Sung-yueng of FC Seoul (C) celebrates his club's 2-1 victory over Suwon Samsung Bluewings in a K League 1 match at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
▲ This caricature provided by the Korea Professional Football League on April 12, 2021, shows FC Seoul midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, the Player of the Month for March in the K League 1. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

football player-award

FC Seoul captain Ki Sung-yueng voted K League's top player for March

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- FC Seoul captain Ki Sung-yueng has been named South Korean football's best player for March.

The K League 1 announced Monday that Ki beat out three candidates for the Player of the Month award: Daegu FC forward Cesinha, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Kim Bo-kyung and Ulsan Hyundai FC goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

The award is sponsored by Electronic Arts (EA) Korea, the league's official video game partner.

The winner was chosen based on votes by the K League's performance evaluation committee (60 percent), fans (25 percent) and EA Sports' FIFA Online 4 video game players (15 percent).

The 32-year-old midfielder began his club career with FC Seoul in 2007. He carved out a successful career in Europe for over a decade, starting in 2009, and rejoined FC Seoul last year.

Ki enjoyed a three-match scoring streak in March, with FC Seoul winning all three matches.

Ki is also playing through distractions of a legal battle against two former elementary school teammates who have accused him of sexually and physically assaulting them. Ki filed a claim for damages against them on March 22.

For the Player of the Month award, Ki was No. 1 in all three voting categories: 24.71 percent of support from the K League committee, 12.87 percent from fans and 12.64 percent from FIFA Online 4 players.

Ki will receive a trophy built by EA Korea and will wear a Player of the Month patch on his uniform for the remainder of the season.

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