football-player
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| ▲ This image captured from Brentford's website on June 27, 2023, shows the Premier League's South Korean acquisition, Kim Ji-soo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this file photo from June 9, 2023, Kim Ji-soo of South Korea (R) battles Daniele Ghilardi of Italy for the ball during the teams' semifinal match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup at La Plata Stadium in La Plata, Argentina. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ South Korean football player Kim Ji-soo (L) speaks with reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on June 21, 2023, before departing for England for a medical with the Premier League club Brentford. (Yonhap) |
football-player
S. Korean defender Kim Ji-soo signs with Brentford
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football defender Kim Ji-soo has signed with the Premier League club Brentford.
Brentford announced their acquisition of the 18-year-old Monday (local time) for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal, with a club option for a fifth year. The deal is subject to international clearance, Brentford added.
Kim, who completed a medical late last week, will join Brentford's B-team for preseason training this week.
Kim played in 19 matches for Seongnam FC in the K League 1 last year on a semi-pro contract, becoming the youngest player to appear in a match in the top South Korean competition. Also in 2022, Kim played for Team K League in a summer exhibition match against Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul.
Kim signed a full professional contract this season and has appeared in one match for Seongnam FC, which have been relegated to the K League 2 for this year.
Kim has represented South Korea in 27 matches at the under-17 and under-20 levels, most recently at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, where the young Taegeuk Warriors finished in fourth place.
Listed at 192 centimeters and 83 kilograms, Kim has drawn comparisons with Napoli center back Kim Min-jae, with his physical play and high football IQ.
"Ji-soo is an excellent prospect who was in demand from many teams in Europe this summer," said Phil Giles, Brentford director of football. "We will give Ji-soo all the time he needs to learn English, adapt to life in England and grow into our club in the B team, and like all of our B-team players, he will earn the opportunity to train and play with the first team based on his performances."
Kim is the 15th South Korean player to have signed with a Premier League side.
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