Kim spent his youth training either as a central defender or a defensive midfielder, but upon suggestion by his manager, he changed his position into a forward a few weeks after signing his first professional contract with Ulsan Hyundai.[1] At first, he struggled to adjust in the new position but lately he has been proving his worth by being one of the top forwards in the Korean football league. His improvement as a striker the last few years is evidenced by his ever-increasing goal scoring record.
Kim was a very influential figure during Ulsan's road to the 2012 AFC Champions League winning title. Kim performed at a top level in all of the 13 matches he played in and ended the tournament with 6 goals scored. With such performance, he was nicknamed as the "Advancing Giant (Shingeki no Kyojin)" or "Chinook".[2]
Shanghai Shenhua
On 8 July 2019, Kim joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua and was reunited with his manager at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Choi Kang-hee.[3] He would make his debut in a league game against Hebei where he also scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat.[4] After that game Kim quickly established himself as an integral member of the team and he would personally score 10 goals in 15 games as the club moved away from the relegation zone and went on to win the 2019 Chinese FA Cup.[5]
Lion City Sailors
On 15 November 2021, Kim joined Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors on a three-year contract reportedly worth more than SGDS$3 million,[6] after his contract at Shanghai had ended.[7] He would make his debut in the 2022 Singapore Community Shield game against Albirex Niigata (S) where he scored his first goal and a brace for the club in a 2–1 win, winning his first silverware with the Sailors in a dream debut.[8]
On 1 April, Kim scored his first hat-trick for the Sailors, as the club cruised to a 4–0 victory against Balestier Khalsa during the 2022 Singapore Premier League season. On 6 May, Kim scored his second hat-trick in a 4–3 home win against Hougang United.[9] He would then go on to scored his third hat-trick against Young Lions in the club biggest ever 10–1 win on 13 August. Kim recorded his fourth hat-trick for the club on 26 August in a 9–4 away win against Hougang United where he become the first player in the league history to scored four hat-trick in a single season.
On 30 January 2023, Kim departed from Lion City Sailors by mutual consent amidst criticism of his mobility and cost cutting at parent company Sea Limited. He scored 24 goals in 35 appearances for the club in all competition.[10][11]
Kitchee
On 2 February 2023, Kim officially joined Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee on a free transfer, signing a contract until 2026.[12][13] He make his debut for the club on 4 March in a 4–0 league win against HK U23.
Being unable to score in the 2022–23 season after making 7 appearances in all competitions, there are rumours that Kitchee was going to terminate Kim’s contract. However, Kim still appears on the team squad in the 2023–24 season and on 27 August 2023, he scored a hat-trick on his first appearance in the league against HKFC in a 8–0 win. On 8 November 2023, Kim became the first player to play in the AFC Champions League with 5 different clubs after coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Thailand side Bangkok United. On 4 November 2023, he scored a brace during the Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield in a 7–0 against Resources Capital. On 13 December 2023, Kim played in the final AFC Champions League group stage fixture against his former club Lion City Sailors at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
International career
Kim was selected for South Korea's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and showed great performances in aerial duels against Algerian and Belgian players.[14][15] He was expected to dominate the air in the 2018 FIFA World Cup like in the previous tournament, but failed to exert influence on Swedish defenders.[16]
In October 2014, he and his teammates were awarded with a conscription exemption after winning the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games.[17]
Personal life
Kim is known to be a devout Christian who reads the bible before games and is nicknamed "church brother" by his teammates. He sometimes participates in evangelizing activities.[18]
Style of play
A tall forward, with a slender physique, Kim was known for possessing a good first touch, as well as an eye for goal; however, he was also known for his lack of significant pace, strength, power, and athleticism, while his movement occasionally came under criticism from fans. He usually played as a target man in a striker role throughout his career due to his ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal and link-up with his teammates. Although he was criticised in his youth for his limited ability in the air, despite his height, and for his inability to out–jump other players, he was also known for his longevity, and had a penchant for scoring acrobatic goals from bicycle kicks.
^[K리그] 울산, 부산 꺾고 러시앤캐시컵 우승 (in Korean). Ulsan Football Association. 14 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
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