온라인바카라Kim Ji-soo (19) is set to make his debut for Brentford in the English Premier League (EPL).
Brentford announced through their official channels, including their website, on the 26th (KST), “We have signed Kim Ji-soo from South Korean K League 2 Seongnam FC. He has signed a four-year contract with an option for a further year.”
The transfer fee paid by Brentford to Seongnam was not disclosed. However, local media had previously reported that Kim’s buyout clause was $700,000 (approximately 900 million won). The deal also reportedly included a sell-on clause that would allow Seongnam to receive a portion of Kim’s transfer fee if he were to move to another team in the future.
Now that Kim has confirmed his move to Brentford, the focus will turn to when he will make his debut. With Brentford’s first EPL game of the 2023-2024 season coming up against Tottenham, it could be against Son Heung-min.
Kim Ji-soo, a 192cm center back born in 2004, made his K League debut last year after signing a semi-professional contract with Seongnam FC. After appearing in 19 games in his first season, Kim showed promise and was selected as a member of Team K-League in July of that year, playing against Tottenham players such as Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in the Coupang Play Series.
Former Jeonbuk Hyundai coach Kim Sang-sik, who was in charge of the All-Star team at the time, praised Kim’s confidence and said he reminded him of “Iron Pillar” Kim Min-jae. In fact, Brentford were not the only clubs interested in Kim, with German champions Bayern Munich and Sporting CP (Portugal) also showing interest.
Kim Ji-soo was also scouted by Napoli before Kim Min-jae’s departure. Last month, Italian outlet Calcio Mercato Napoli reported that Kim Ji-Soo could be a possible replacement for Kim Min-Jae as he was expected to leave Napoli.
“He seems destined for Brentford, but Napoli, who are increasingly interested in Asian soccer, can’t rule out an attempt to sign him,” the publication claimed. It also emphasized that Kim’s buyout clause is a bargain at £560,000.”
However, for the time being, Kim will be training with Brentford’s second team, Brentford B. Brentford director of football Phil Giles spoke about Kim’s future on the club’s website.
“Kim Ji-Soo is a great prospect who was wanted by many teams in Europe this summer,” Giles said, adding that “Ji-Soo did very well at the recent U20 World Cup, so it’s a credit to Lee Dyks and his scouting team that we were able to sign him.” For now, the club is happy to have him.
“We will give Ji-Soo all the time he needs to learn English, adapt to life in England and progress from our B team to our club, and like all our B team players, he will be given the opportunity to train and play with the first team based on his performance.”
Brentford’s B team also includes some players with global recognition. The latest signing is Romeo Beckham, 20, the second of David Beckham’s three sons and one daughter. Brentford officially announced the signing of Romeo on July 17.
Romeo Beckham joined Brentford B on loan from American Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami in January, where his father is a co-owner, and has now completed a full transfer.
Kim Ji-soo is expected to play alongside Romeo Beckham, who can play a variety of positions, including winger and fullback. Kim Ji-soo, who is the next in line to join Kim Min-jae, who has been hotly tipped for a move to Europe this summer, is likely to attract a lot of attention from the British media alongside Romeo Beckham, the son of a global superstar.