Kim Ji-soo (18) of Seongnam FC is heading to Brentford.
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano shouted ‘Here We Go’ on the 17th (Korean time), saying, “Brentford and Seongnam have agreed to a contract with Kim Ji-soo.”스포츠토토
He added, “We have agreed on personal terms. We will sign a contract next week.”
He also said, “Kim Ji-soo is evaluated as the best talent. He was also selected in the FIFA Best 11 in the Under-20 World Cup.”
Kim Ji-soo, who is 18 years old in 2004, is considered a promising defensive player in Korean football. With his 192 cm tall and 84 kg solid physical condition and his outstanding football intelligence, he is evaluated as the ‘second Kim Min-jae’. He contributed to the national team’s fourth-place finish as a starting defender at the recent U-20 World Cup held in Argentina.
From the first group match against France to the third-place match against Israel, he started in all of Korea’s seven matches, playing full-time in six of them.
Kim Ji-soo made his debut in the K-League 1 last season as a semi-professional and played 19 games.
Kim Ji-soo emphasized in an interview after the tournament, “I want to go to a bigger stage while playing this World Cup. Rather than personal goals, I want to become a player who helps my team do well.” He chose to go to England for a bigger stage.
Kim Ji-soo is getting closer to the Premier League with a recently revised work permit. The England Football Association (FA) has amended the work permit rules to widen the door for overseas players to enter England.
According to the original regulations, it is difficult for Kim Ji-soo, who has not even debuted in the Korean national team, to get a work permit. However, with the recent revision, it is possible to recruit players who are not subject to the existing work permit.
Kim Ji-soo, who moved to Brentford, was named the 16th EPL leaguer in Korean history and the 7th player to go directly to the EPL from the K-League. In particular, it is the first case to go directly in K-League 2.
Meanwhile, the opening schedule of the English Premier League for the 2023-24 season has been revealed. Brentford face Tottenham at home. If Kim Ji-su participates on this day, it seems that the Korean derby will be held with Son Heung-min.