Ji-soo Kim
Full name in native alphabet: 김지수
Country: South Korea
Date of birth: 24/12/2004 (18 years old)
Place of birth: Bucheon, Gyeonggi (South Korea)
Height: 192cm
Youth career: Bucheon Donggok Elementary School, Seongnam FC (since 2017)
Current club: Seongnam FC
Squad number: 36
Current national team: South Korea U-20
Position: central defender
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 350.000 €
Tournaments participated in: 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup (4/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: PROELEVEN
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Harry Maguire
Strengths:
– tackling 
– athleticism
– anticipation
– ability to read the game
– positioning
– technique 
– aerial duels
To improve:
– progressive passing and playing under pressure
– not the fastest over the first meters
Style of play:
– complete and dominant centre-back
– tall player with excellent body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– able to play as a left and right-sided centre-back in a four-man defence system
– prefers an active style of defending by getting into challenges and pressing opponents
– feels comfortable and has a decent composure on the ball, making part of the team’s build-up process at the first instances
– likes to play simple and doesn’t like to take the unnecessary risk on the ball
– known for his good timing, understanding of the game, and an above-average technical capacity
– does not dive into tackles
– tenacious and accurate tackler/strong in 1vs1 duels
– very strong player who knows how to use his body to gain advantage/wins most of the physical duels
– positively aggressive, usually plays clean, and doesn’t get booked often
– concentrated and committed
– dominant in the air
– operates very comfortably with his weaker left foot
Kim leaves the line, wins the physical duel, and wins the ball back.
Kim reads the game very well, reacts quickly, and intercepts a dangerous through ball.
Kim reacts well and cuts an extremely dangerous pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
Gyeonggi-do Dream Football Tournament 2021 MVP award.
Baekrokgi National High School Football Tournament 2021 winner.
League summary (as for 17 March 2023):
K League 1 2022: 19 games/0 goals (Seongnam)
Description:
Ji-soo Kim is considered to be one of the most talented players in South Korea. He joined the Seongnam FC youth academy in 2017. On 7 February 2022, he became Seongnam’s first player ever to sign a semi-professional contract. He made his first team debut on 14 May 2022 in a league fixture against Suwon Bluewings. In 2022, he was the youngest player to feature in the K League 1. He is also a regular youth international for South Korea – he started at the U-15 level and now he’s one of the leaders of the U-20 team.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: