Jang Hyun-soo

Jang Hyun-soo
Jang with Al-Hilal at the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-09-28) 28 September 1991[1]
Place of birth Seoul, South Korea
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position Centre-back[3]
Team information
Current team
 Al-Gharafa
Number 20
Youth career
2004–2006 Kyunghee Middle School
2007–2009 Kyunghee High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Yonsei University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 FC Tokyo 40 (4)
2014–2017 Guangzhou R&F 64 (3)
2017–2019 FC Tokyo 48 (4)
2019–2023 Al-Hilal 90 (4)
2023– Al-Gharafa 33 (0)
International career
2009–2011 South Korea U20 25 (4)
2011–2016 South Korea U23 20[α] (3)
2013–2018 South Korea 58 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea
AFC Asian Cup
Runner-up2015 Australia
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place2014 Incheon
EAFF Championship
Winner2015 China
Winner2017 Japan
Bronze medal – third place2013 South Korea
AFF U-19 Youth Championship
Bronze medal – third place2010 Vietnam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 April 2026
Jang Hyun-soo
Hangul
장현수
Hanja
張賢秀
RRJang Hyeonsu
MRChang Hyŏnsu

Jang Hyun-soo (Korean: 장현수; Korean pronunciation: [tɕɐŋ.çʌn.su]; born 28 September 1991) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa.

Club career

FC Tokyo

During the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship, where South Korea defeated Japan 3–2, Jang was noted for his aerial ability and passing skills in the defensive line by J.League clubs. He joined J1 League's FC Tokyo prior to the 2012 season after dropping out of Yonsei University at the end of the second grade.[4] On 6 April 2012, he made his professional debut in a 1–0 win over Kawasaki Frontale.[5] In his first season, he was not accustomed to maintaining a high defensive line, playing as a right-back occasionally.[6][7] In 2013, he became Tokyo's main centre-back, and showed a gradual improvement in his field of view.[8]

Guangzhou R&F

On 5 February 2014, Jang transferred to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.[9] That year, he helped R&F qualify for the AFC Champions League for the first time in their history.[10] On 17 March 2015, he was sent off for pushing the referee with his stomach without repressing his anger in a 1–0 Champions League loss to Seongnam FC.[11] During the first half of the 2017 season, he lost his place at the club due to the removal of the CSL's Asian player quota.[12]

Return to FC Tokyo

On 12 July 2017, Jang returned to FC Tokyo.[13] He captained Tokyo during the 2018 season.[14] During the 2019 season, he was suspended for two league matches after hitting Riki Harakawa's face with his elbow in a J.League Cup match against Sagan Tosu,[15] but the team retained the top spot at the league under his contribution until he moved to Al-Hilal in the summer.[16]

Al-Hilal

On 12 July 2019, Jang signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal on a three-year contract.[17] He played all minutes for Al-Hilal in the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout stage until the final, where they defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 3–0 on aggregate.[18] He also won his first professional league title in the 2019–20 season. On 28 November 2020, he scored the opener in a 2–1 King's Cup final win over Al-Nassr, leading the club to win a continental treble.[19]

On 23 November 2021, Jang led Al-Hilal to keep a clean sheet in the 2–0 Champions League final win over Pohang Steelers, achieving his second continental title.[20] South Korean journalists reported that he was the leader of Al-Hilal's defense and his existence suppressed Pohang's attack.[21][22]

After contributing to Al-Hilal's third consecutive league title in the 2021–22 season, Jang planned to play for K League 1 club Ulsan Hyundai the next season,[23] but Al-Hilal invoked an option to extend their contract with him for one more year.[24] In January 2023, he was selected for the Riyadh all-star team, and played a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain. He scored a goal before the match ended in a 5–4 loss.[25][26] In February, he played all three matches until the final for Al-Hilal at the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, where the team defeated Wydad Casablanca and Flamengo.[27] In the final against Real Madrid, he and the team's defenders conceded five goals, while forwards scored three goals.[28] On 5 June, he was diagnosed with a tumor in his lymph node.[29] Al-Hilal decided not to renew the contract with him, but supported his medical expenses.[30] He was replaced by Kalidou Koulibaly, who transferred from Premier League club Chelsea.[31]

Al-Gharafa

On 23 November 2023, Jang joined Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa.[32] Al-Gharafa extended his contract for a further three years on 3 July 2024 after qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite as the league's third-place team.[33] He played only six league matches in the 2024–25 season due to a hamstring injury in January 2025,[34] and came back to the field at the beginning of 2025–26 season. He suffered a shock 7–0 defeat to Al-Ittihad at the Champions League Elite on 10 February 2026,[35] but contributed to the club's second successive Amir of Qatar Cup title.[36]

International career

At youth level, Jang captained South Korea at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship and the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup under manager Lee Kwang-jong.[37] He was also appointed captain by Lee at the 2014 Asian Games, where he led the team to win all seven matches without conceding a goal until the 1–0 final win over North Korea.[38]

Jang played as a key defender for South Korea under managers Uli Stielike, Shin Tae-yong and Paulo Bento.[39] He played only the first two matches at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, but attracted Stielike's attention after leading the team to win the 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup.[40] He was deployed as a centre-back, defensive midfielder or right-back by Stielike, playing various roles.[41] He played the most minutes in the South Korea squad in 2016.[42] However, his performances as a right-back received low evaluations from journalists.[43]

Jang was selected as an overage player and captain for the South Korea under-23 team for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[44] In South Korea, Olympic medalists are exempted from mandatory military service, and the competition is considered a chance for athletes to change their fates.[45] Jang was already exempted from military service by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, but was exceptionally called up to the Olympic team as one of three overage players by manager Shin Tae-yong.[46] Shin, who had watched Jang's leadership and versatility at the Olympics, used him as a main player like his predecessor after succeeding Stielike as senior team manager the next year.[47] Despite the manager's trust, Jang was criticised for increasing his number of errors by fans and media.[48]

The criticisms towards Jang were continued at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[49] In a 1–0 loss to Sweden, teammate Park Joo-ho injured his hamstring while attempting to receive Jang's inaccurate pass, and Jang's another inaccurate pass became the starting point of opponents' penalty goal.[50] During a 2–1 loss to Mexico, Jang was involved in both of the opponents' goals. He conceded a penalty for handball after he tried a sliding tackle with he stretching his arm. He also tried a hasty sliding tackle in front of goal against second scorer Javier Hernández, who easily dodged after watching it.[51] Prior to the last group stage match against Germany, Jang requested Shin to exclude him from the line-up, but Shin persuaded him to leave the team together after playing only the last match.[52] He was deployed as a defensive midfielder instead of injured Ki Sung-yueng in the match against Germany unlike in the previous two matches, where he played as a centre-back. He showed improvement without making a big mistake while helping South Korea defeat Germany 2–0.[53]

After the 2018 World Cup, Jang continued to play for South Korea under new manager Paulo Bento. On 23 October 2018, he was caught falsifying records of his volunteer work related to alternative service, which he had to do in exchange for receiving military exemption.[54] On 1 November, the Korea Football Association gave him a lifetime ban from representing the national team and fined him $26,800.[55] However, the KFA started to support players' volunteer activities after recognising the problem of lack of volunteer opportunities at the time,[56] and judoka An Ba-ul served only a six-month suspension for the same case before participating at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[57]

Career statistics

Club

As of 9 May 2026[58][59][60]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental[c] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Tokyo 2012 J1 League 14200005000192
2013 J1 League 2622020——302
Total 40420205000494
Guangzhou R&F 2014 Chinese Super League 23110———241
2015 Chinese Super League 16110—51—222
2016 Chinese Super League 24140———281
2017 Chinese Super League 1010———20
Total 64370—51—764
FC Tokyo 2017 J1 League 112—00——112
2018 J1 League 2421010——262
2019 J1 League 1300020——150
Total 4841030——524
Al-Hilal 2019–20 Saudi Pro League 22031—1303[d]0411
2020–21 Saudi Pro League 25010—601[e]0330
2021–22 Saudi Pro League 25240—704[f]0402
2022–23 Saudi Pro League 18230—514[f]0303
Total 904111—3111201446
Al-Gharafa 2023–24 Qatar Stars League 1102000—1[g]0140
2024–25 Qatar Stars League 6000103000100
2025–26 Qatar Stars League 1604000601[h]0270
Total 33060109020510
Career total 275152716050214037218
  1. ↑ Includes Emperor's Cup, Chinese FA Cup, King's Cup, Amir of Qatar Cup
  2. ↑ Includes J.League Cup, QSL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in AFC Champions League
  4. ↑ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  5. ↑ Appearance in Saudi Super Cup
  6. 1 2 Three appearances in FIFA Club World Cup, one appearance in Saudi Super Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance in Qatar Cup
  8. ↑ Appearance in UAE–Qatar Super Cup

International

List of international goals scored by Jang Hyun-soo
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
15 August 2015Wuhan, China Japan1–01–12015 EAFF Championship
28 September 2015Sidon, Lebanon Lebanon1–03–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
312 November 2015Suwon, South Korea Myanmar3–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Al-Hilal[59]

Al-Gharafa

South Korea U23

South Korea[59]

Individual

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes five appearances as an overage player (four appearances in Summer Olympics, one appearance in friendlies).

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: Al Hilal SFC" (PDF). FIFA. 5 December 2019. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "[2016 Rio Olympics] Meet the Squad: Centrebacks". Tavern of the Taeguk Warriors. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Hyun-Soo Jang at WorldFootball.net
  4. ↑ "東京 U-22韓国代表チャン獲得" (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "加賀の穴はチャンが埋める！！　待ってました、リーグ戦デビュー" (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  6. ↑ [코리안 J리거 5R] '세레소 듀오' 김보경-김진현, 5R 눈부신 활약 (in Korean). Xportsnews. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "【J1：第12節 Ｆ東京 vs 鳥栖】ランコポポヴィッチ監督（Ｆ東京）記者会見コメント" (in Japanese). J.League. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  8. ↑ [키워드 인터뷰] 다시 뛰는 장현수 "'제2 홍명보' 아직 포기 못한다" (in Korean). Footballist. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "关于张贤秀正式加盟广州富力足球俱乐部的公告" (in Chinese). Guangzhou R&F F.C. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "关于埃里克森先生离任的公告" (in Chinese). Guangzhou R&F F.C. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  11. ↑ 광저우-성남전 '장현수 퇴장' 이유 알고보니 (in Korean). KBS. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  12. ↑ 중국, 아시아쿼터 폐지…월드컵 앞두고 한국 선수들 대거 이탈 조짐. Nate (in Korean). Sports World. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "チャン ヒョンス選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ" (in Japanese). FC Tokyo. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "DFチャン ヒョンスがキャプテンに就任【FC東京】" (in Japanese). J.League. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "「暴行脅迫および挑発行為」に該当すると判断…JリーグがFC東京DFチャン・ヒョンスの処分を発表" (in Japanese). Gekisaka. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "「心苦しい」元韓国代表DFチャン・ヒョンス、首位FC東京からアルヒラルへ完全移籍" (in Japanese). Gekisaka. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Jang Hyun Soo joins Al-Hilal's camp in Austria". Saudi Pro League. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Hyun-soo Jang » Statistics: Club Matches, AFC Champions League Elite 2019". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Al-Hilal beat Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr to clinch King's Cup and unique treble". Arab News. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Al Hilal power past Pohang Steelers to create history". Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  21. ↑ 얄미울 만큼 잘했던 장현수…알힐랄 우승의 주역이었다. Nate (in Korean). News1. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  22. ↑ 포항 울린 알 힐랄… 존재감 발휘한 장현수 (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  23. ↑ [서호정] 장현수, 울산 이적 무산… '김앤장' 재결합은 다음 기회로. Naver (in Korean). Footballist. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Jang Hyun-soo renewed contract with Al Hilal". Football Asian. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Riyadh All-Stars XI vs. Paris Saint-Germain". ESPN. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  26. ↑ '그 장현수 맞습니다' 메호대전 신스틸러는 장현수, 득점 신고에 철벽수비까지[사우디연합-PSG] (in Korean). Sports Hankook. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Hyun-soo Jang » Statistics: Club Matches, Club World Cup 2022". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  28. ↑ 장현수가 잘못 걷어낸 헤딩, 레알 마드리드에겐 먹잇감 [스한 스틸컷] (in Korean). Sports Hankook. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  29. ↑ 알힐랄 장현수, 림프샘 양성 종양 치료…"치료에 3∼4개월" (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Al-Hilal's Jang Hyun-soo undergoes 1st chemo session in Riyadh". Arab News. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "Al-Hilal expresses his deepest condolences to Jang Hyun-soo, a true champion". KSA.com. 22 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "رسميًا.. الغرافة القطري يُعلن ضم جانغ هيون سو لاعب الهلال السابق" (in Arabic). Al Yaum. 23 November 2023.
  33. ↑ 전 국가대표 장현수, 카타르 알가라파와 3년 재계약 (in Korean). News1. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "الغرافة يعلن عن إصابة لاعبه جانغ" (in Arabic). Al Sharq. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  35. ↑ 'ACL 0-7 참패 굴욕' 韓 국가대표 제명 장현수, 평점 3.9 '최저'. Nate (in Korean). Starnews Korea. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  36. ↑ "Al Gharafa 4 - 1 Al Sadd (05/09) - Match Report". 365Scores. 9 May 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  37. ↑ -U20월드컵- 한국, 첫 상대 말리 제압(종합) (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  38. ↑ [인천AG] '철옹성' 장현수, '7G 무실점 우승' 1등 공신 (in Korean). Starnews Korea. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  39. ↑ 벤투 감독도 어쩔 수 없었던 장현수의 대표팀 퇴출…"안타깝다" (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  40. 1 2 "EAFF East Asian Cup 2015 & EAFF Women's East Asian Cup 2015 Competition". EAFF. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  41. ↑ [인터뷰①] 장현수, "슈틸리케 감독, 큰 일 내실 분" (in Korean). News1. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  42. ↑ 슈틸리케가 믿는 장현수, 2016년 A매치 790분 최다 출전 (in Korean). No Cut News. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  43. ↑ 중국화 논란 한국 축구 가장 큰 문제는? (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  44. ↑ '주장' 장현수 "동생들에게 도움 주고 싶었다" (in Korean). KBS. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  45. ↑ [올림픽] 대회마다 주목받는 '메달리스트 병역특례'…종목 따라 갑론을박 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  46. ↑ [축구]신태용호 와일드 카드…수비진 중심, 군 면제 선수도 고려 (in Korean). Newsis. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  47. ↑ [리우 온두라스전]흐느낀 '캡틴' 장현수, 희생-헌신에도 웃지 못했다 (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  48. ↑ 팬들은 '아웃' 외쳐도 … 역시 믿을 수비는 '김앤장' (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  50. ↑ '황태자' 장현수, 본선에서도 지우지 못한 물음표 (in Korean). Dailian. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  51. ↑ [월드컵ing] 장현수 멕시코전 실수에 안정환-이영표-박지성 '말말말'. Nate (in Korean). Kyunghyang. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  52. ↑ 신태용이 장현수에게 "대표팀 함께 그만두자"고 말한 이유는? (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  53. ↑ [WC 독일전] '결자해지' 장현수, 논란을 실력으로 극복하다. Daum (in Korean). Best Eleven. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  54. ↑ 하태경 "장현수, 봉사활동 서류 조작 시인…축구협회에 징계 검토 요청" (in Korean). The Dong-A Ilbo. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  55. ↑ "South Korea defender given lifetime ban for false military service records". ESPN. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  56. ↑ '장현수 사태 막자' 축구협회, 봉사활동 지원 (in Korean). Dailian. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  57. ↑ 병역 서류 조작한 유도 안바울, 6개월 선수자격정지 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  58. ↑ Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, ISBN 978-4905411529 (p. 108 out of 289)
  59. 1 2 3 4 Jang Hyun-soo at Soccerway (archived)
  60. ↑ "Jang Hyunsoo - Soccer Stats, Profile & Career Info". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  61. ↑ "EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Final Japan". EAFF. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
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