Kim Seung-gyu

Kim Seung-gyu
Kim with South Korea in 2017
Personal information
Full name Kim Seung-gyu[1]
Date of birth (1990-09-30) 30 September 1990[2]
Place of birth Ulsan, South Korea
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[3]
Position Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 FC Tokyo
Number 81
Youth career
2003–2012 Ulsan Hyundai[note 1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2015 Ulsan Hyundai 110 (0)
2016–2019 Vissel Kobe 107 (0)
2019 Ulsan Hyundai 16 (0)
2020–2022 Kashiwa Reysol 72 (0)
2022–2025 Al-Shabab 57 (0)
2025– FC Tokyo 16 (0)
International career‡
2006–2007 South Korea U17 17[α] (0)
2008–2009 South Korea U20 16 (0)
2009–2014 South Korea U23 15[β] (0)
2013– South Korea 90 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea
AFC Asian Cup
Runner-up2015 Australia
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place2014 Incheon
Bronze medal – third place2010 Guangzhou
EAFF Championship
Winner2015 China
Winner2019 South Korea
AFF U-19 Youth Championship
Runner-up2008 Thailand
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 August 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 24 June 2026
Kim Seung-gyu
Hangul
김승규
Hanja
金承奎
RRGim Seunggyu
MRKim Sŭnggyu
IPA[kim.sɯŋ.ɡju]

Kim Seung-gyu (Korean: 김승규; born 30 September 1990) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for J1 League club FC Tokyo and the South Korea national team.[5]

Club career

Ulsan Hyundai

Kim was a much-anticipated youth player of K League club Ulsan Hyundai, and joined the senior team after graduating middle school. However, he usually played for the reserve team and high school's team for a long time. He started to get opportunities after existing goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang was injured in 2013. That year, he was selected for the K League Best XI as well as proving his worth at the senior team.[6]

Vissel Kobe

After playing as Ulsan's main goalkeeper until 2015, Kim moved to J1 League club Vissel Kobe. In his first season at Kobe, he was selected as one of the league's three best goalkeepers, who were nominated for the Best XI award. But the award was given to Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Shūsaku Nishikawa.[7] He played as first-choice goalkeeper for Kobe until 2018, but lost his place in the 2019 season when the club exceeded the limit on the number of foreign players. He decided to return to Ulsan in the summer.[8]

Return to Ulsan

Kim came back to Ulsan Hyundai in the middle of the 2019 season, lending support to the club in the K League 1 title race. Prior to the last league match against Pohang Steelers, they were three points clear of second-placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, with one match left. However, they lost the match 4–1 at their home stadium, and lost the league title on the number of goals to Jeonbuk, who earned the same points. Kim was criticised for making a fatal mistake in the match.[9] He urgently took a throw-in when his team were trailing 2–1 with three minutes left in the match, but opposing forward Heo Yong-joon intercepted the ball and put it into the empty goal.[10]

Kashiwa Reysol

Prior to the 2020 season, Kim joined J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol. He was pushed to the bench early in the season due to the existence of Japan international Kosuke Nakamura, and then received opportunities after Nakamura was injured. On 7 October, he led Kashiwa to a 1–0 win by showing numerous saves in the J.League Cup semi-finals against Yokohama F. Marinos, being in the spotlight of the Japanese press.[11][12][13] He also participated in the league cup final against FC Tokyo, which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[14]

Al-Shabab

On 6 July 2022, Kim transferred to Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab.[15] He kept the third highest number of clean sheets with 11 at the 2022–23 Saudi Pro League.[16] He kept clean sheets in all four matches until the quarter-finals of the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, but conceded three goals in the 3–1 semi-final defeat to Al-Hilal.[17]

Kim suffered a cruciate ligament injury while training at the South Korea national team in January 2024, and had a relapse two months later after recovering from it in August.[18] In 2025, Al-Shabab did not pay their players salaries, causing controversy.[18]

FC Tokyo

On 7 June 2025, J1 League club FC Tokyo announced they recruited Kim.[19] They had been ranked 18th out of 20 teams in the league standings at the time, but finished 11th after his contribution.[20]

International career

Early career

After representing South Korea at between under-17 and under-20 level,[4] Kim played as the main goalkeeper for the national under-23 team at the 2010 Asian Games, where he won a bronze medal.[21] In the semi-finals against United Arab Emirates, manager Hong Myung-bo replaced Kim with another goalkeeper Lee Bum-young to prepare for a penalty shoot-out when the score was tied at 0–0 prior to stoppage time after 120 minutes, but this decision was followed by opponents' winning goal at the last moment.[22][23]

On 14 August 2013, Kim made his senior international debut in a 0–0 friendly draw with Peru.[24]

2014 World Cup

Kim was named in the South Korea squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as second-choice goalkeeper behind Jung Sung-ryong. He did not play the first two matches, but was in the starting line-up against Belgium after Jung's poor performance in a 4–2 defeat to Algeria. Despite conceding one goal during a 1–0 defeat to Belgium, he was praised for his numerous saves by South Korean media and fans.[25]

2014 Asian Games

Kim participated at the 2014 Asian Games as an overage player of the South Korea under-23 team. He conceded no goals in six matches he played, helping South Korea win the competition for the first time in 28 years. He was exempted from mandatory military service after receiving a gold medal at the competition.[26]

Kim was selected for the senior national team for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and appeared in their second group stage match against Kuwait in place of main goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon. He contributed to a 1–0 win by keeping a clean sheet, but was criticised for his inaccurate passes and lack of harmony with defenders.[27] He was also called up to the national team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,[28] but Jo Hyeon-woo played all matches this time.

2022 World Cup

After the 2018 World Cup, Kim received a strong trust from new manager Paulo Bento, playing as first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea under him. Kim conceded two goals during five matches at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and three goals during 14 matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[29]

In 2022, Kim participated at the World Cup as the main goalkeeper for the first time. While South Korea finished second in the Group H, he conceded only one goal during two matches against Uruguay and Portugal, which ended in a goalless draw and a 2–1 win respectively, although he failed to block any of opponents' three shots on target in a 3–2 defeat to Ghana.[30] He made five saves in the round of 16 against Brazil, where his team lost 4–1.[31]

During the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Kim played for his country in a 3–1 win over Bahrain, which was their opener, but he was absent from the other matches due to a cruciate ligament injury.[32]

2026 World Cup

While playing three Group A matches for South Korea at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kim made nine saves and conceded three goals.[33][34] In the middle of the second group stage match against hosts Mexico, he tried catching the aerial ball behind his teammate, but missed the ball after running into the teammate, and opposing player Luis Romo put it into the net. Despite blocking Mexico's three shots on target, he caused a 1–0 defeat with that mistake.[35]

Style of play

Known as one of the most versatile goalkeepers in South Korea, Kim was originally noted for his quick reflexes and movement, and improved his passing skills while playing at the J1 League.[36]

Personal life

On 17 June 2024, Kim married model Kim Jin-kyung.[37] On 4 June 2026, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter.[38]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 15 August 2026[17][39][40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ulsan Hyundai 2008 K League 000000—2[c]020
2009 K League 0000001[d]0—10
2010 K League 301040——80
2011 K League 000000—2[c]020
2012 K League 12000—5[d]0—170
2013 K League 1 32020———340
2014 K League 1 29010—6[d]0—360
2015 K League 1 34040———380
Total 11008040120401380
Vissel Kobe 2016 J1 League 3401020——370
2017 J1 League 3103050——390
2018 J1 League 3002000——320
2019 J1 League 1200010——130
Total 10706080——1210
Ulsan Hyundai 2019 K League 1 160————160
Kashiwa Reysol 2020 J1 League 240—30——270
2021 J1 League 3501010——370
2022 J1 League 1300000——130
Total 720104000—770
Al-Shabab 2022–23 Saudi Pro League 30010—2[d]04[e]0370
2023–24 Saudi Pro League 19030——5[e]0270
2024–25 Saudi Pro League 8010———90
Total 57050—2090730
FC Tokyo 2025 J1 League 1403000——170
2026–27 J1 League 200000—16[f]0180
Total 1603000—160350
Career total 37802301601402904600

International

As of match played 24 June 2026[4]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Korea 201330
201440
2015100
201650
201750
2018100
2019110
202190
2022140
202380
202420
202530
202660
Total900

Honours

Ulsan Hyundai

Kashiwa Reysol

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

Notes

  1. ↑ Played for Hyundai Middle School from 2003 to 2005, Hyundai High School from 2006 to 2007, and Ulsan Hyundai B from 2006 to 2012, which were academies of Ulsan Hyundai.
  1. ↑ Includes one appearance against non-national team.[4]
  2. ↑ Includes six appearances as an overage player in Asian Games.

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: Korea Republic" (PDF). FIFA. 6 October 2009. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2009.
  2. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Kim Seung-gyu". Saudi Pro League. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Kim Seung-gyu at Korea Football Association" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Kim Seung-Gyu".
  6. 1 2 <프로축구> 김신욱, K리그 클래식 MVP…감독상은 황선홍(종합). Naver (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  7. ↑ "２０１６Ｊリーグ優秀選手賞 受賞選手が決定【Ｊリーグアウォーズ】" (in Japanese). J.League. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "神戸退団のGKキム・スンギュ、韓国紙で移籍の理由を告白　「Jリーグが外国人枠を…」" (in Japanese). Football Zone. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  9. ↑ [울산 포항] 선방 펼치던 김승규, 찬물 끼얹은 스로인 실책. Nate (in Korean). InterFootball. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ulsan coach apologizes for blowing chance to win K League championship". Yonhap News Agency. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "止めに止めたキム・スンギュ。ルヴァン杯ファイナルへ導いた柏の守護神の存在感" (in Japanese). Goal. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "今夜の主役はキム・スンギュ！ 柏が堅守で横浜FMを破り、7年ぶりの決勝進出◎ルヴァンカップ準決勝" (in Japanese). Soccer Magazine. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "守護神が好守連発の柏、7年ぶりルヴァン杯決勝進出!! DF山下達也の一撃で横浜FMを退ける" (in Japanese). Gekisaka. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 "柏vsFC東京の試合結果・データ（ＪリーグYBCルヴァンカップ：2021年1月4日）" (in Japanese). J.League. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Kim Seung-Gyu officially joined Al Shabab". Football-Asian. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Statistics - 2022/2023". Saudi Pro League. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Kim Seunggyu - Matches". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Al-Shabab fails to pay Kim Seung-kyu and teammates for three months". The Chosun Ilbo. Osen. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "ＦＣ東京がＧＫキムスンギュを緊急補強…Ｊ１通算１７９試合出場、Ｗ杯３大会選出の実力者" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "2025シーズン総括 積み上げた手応えと課題 前編" (in Japanese). FC Tokyo. 28 December 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Korea beats Iran to win bronze in football". PersianFootball.com. The Korea Herald. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  22. ↑ 亞… 한국축구 '24년 징크스' 결국 못깼다 (in Korean). Kyunghyang. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "UAE enter Asian Games football final". Khaleej Times. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  24. ↑ <한·페루축구> 정성룡 긴장시킨 새내기 골키퍼 김승규 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  25. ↑ 골키퍼 김승규, 벨기에전 눈부신 활약…"실점은 내실수" 눈물 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  26. 1 2 [AG]'6경기 무실점' 김승규, 금메달의 마지막 버팀목 (in Korean). JoyNews24. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  27. ↑ [한국-쿠웨이트] 김승규, 무실점 가리는 아찔했던 볼 처리 (in Korean). Xportsnews. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  29. ↑ [AG]'6경기 무실점' 김승규, 금메달의 마지막 버팀목 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  30. ↑ '자동문'에서 '거미손' 된 김승규 "가나·우루과이 전 기다릴 때 1초도 너무 길어" (in Korean). Seoul Shinmun. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "Brazil 4-1 South Korea (Dec 5, 2022) Final Score". ESPN. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Korea starting keeper Kim Seung-gyu ruled out of Asian Cup with ACL tear". Korea JoongAng Daily. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "2026 World Cup Goalkeeper Stats". FBref. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  34. ↑ "World Cup 2026 squad lists: England, Scotland, Brazil, USA, Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Portugal and more". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2 August 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "Kim Seung-gyu News: Hero to zero against Mexico". RotoWire. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  36. ↑ [人사이드] ① 김승규의 골키퍼論 "공부하고 연구해야 막을 수 있다" (in Korean). Footballist. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  37. ↑ Jo, Min-jeong (18 June 2024). 손흥민-조규성, 이현이까지? 톱스타 총출동한 김진경♥김승규 결혼식 현장 [Son Heung-min, Cho Gyu-sung, and even Lee Hyun-i? Many top stars attended the wedding between Kim Jin-kyung ♥ Kim Seung-gyu] (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  38. ↑ Kang, Ju-il (5 June 2026). "내가 해냈어" 김진경♥김승규, 결혼 2년 만에 득녀 ["I did it" Kim Jin-kyung ♥ Kim Seung-gyu had a daughter after two years of marriage] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  39. ↑ Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)", 8 February 2017, Japan, ISBN 978-4905411420 (p. 58 out of 289)
  40. ↑ Kim Seung-gyu at Soccerway
  41. ↑ [K리그]'별들의 전쟁' 2014올스타전, 출전 선수명단 확정 (in Korean). Newsis. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  42. ↑ "EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2019 Final Korea Republic". EAFF. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.