Koo Ja-cheol

Koo Ja-cheol
Koo with South Korea in 2017
Personal information
Full name Koo Ja-cheol[1]
Date of birth (1989-02-27) 27 February 1989
Place of birth Nonsan, Chungnam, South Korea
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position Midfielder
Youth career
2004–2006 Boin High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Jeju United 67 (7)
2011–2014 VfL Wolfsburg 32 (0)
2012–2013 → FC Augsburg (loan) 36 (8)
2014–2015 Mainz 05 39 (6)
2015–2019 FC Augsburg 104 (14)
2019–2021 Al-Gharafa 38 (6)
2021 Al-Khor 8 (0)
2022–2024 Jeju United 28 (1)
Total 352 (42)
International career
2007–2009 South Korea U20 16 (5)
2009–2012 South Korea U23 16 (5)
2008–2019 South Korea 76 (19)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2012 London
AFC Asian Cup
Runner-up2015 Australia
Bronze medal – third place2011 Qatar
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place2010 Guangzhou
EAFF Championship
Winner2008 China
Runner-up2010 Japan
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 November 2024 (UTC)
Koo Ja-cheol
Hangul
구자철
Hanja
具滋哲
RRGu Jacheol
MRKu Chach'ŏl
Also spelled Gu Ja-chul or Ku Ja-chul

Koo Ja-cheol (Korean: 구자철; Korean pronunciation: [ku.dʑa.tɕʰʌl] or [ku] [tɕa.tɕʰʌl]; born 27 February 1989) is a South Korean former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Koo is considered one of the most successful South Korean players at the Bundesliga.[3][4] He made 211 Bundesliga appearances, while playing for VfL Wolfsburg, FC Augsburg and Mainz 05.[5] On the international side, he won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and captained the South Korea national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Koo started football at age ten when a nearby elementary school opened its football club. During his early youth career, he mostly played as a defender, often taking the role of sweeper.[6] While playing for Boin High School, he suffered from anemia, but contributed to the school's runner-up finish at the 2016 edition of the Baekrok High School Football Tournament, annually held in Jeju Island. At the competition, he grabbed the attention of Jung Hae-seong, then manager of Jeju United.[6]

Club career

Jeju United

In 2007, Koo was selected by Jeju United in the K League draft. He failed to make an impression in his first two years at Jeju due to numerous injuries. However, he slowly broke into the first team as a defensive midfielder.

In January 2010, Koo was reportedly invited by Blackburn Rovers for a trial, but the move did not happen.[7] That year, he spent a great season at Jeju instead, driving his club to an unprecedented runner-up finish. After the contribution, he received some individual awards from the league's federation, namely the Top Assist Provider Award and the FANtastic Player Award, as well as being selected for the Best XI.[8]

VfL Wolfsburg

On 30 January 2011, Koo moved to Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[9] On 12 February 2011, Koo made his Wolfsburg debut, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home defeat to Hamburger SV.[10] However, he had difficulty competing for a starting position with his teammates during a year.

Loan to FC Augsburg

On 31 January 2012, he moved on loan to another Bundesliga club FC Augsburg.[11][12] On 18 February, he scored the equaliser outside the penalty area in a 4–1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.[13] On 17 March, Augsburg defeated Mainz 05 2–1 after he equalised with a lob outside the penalty area.[14] On 24 March, he provided an assist for the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Werder Bremen.[15] On 31 March, he scored the opening goal with a low shot from outside the penalty area, contributing to a 2–1 win over 1. FC Köln.[16] On 7 April, he scored the equaliser through Manuel Neuer's five-hole in a 2–1 defeat to Bayern Munich.[17] On 5 May, he scored the winning goal with a header in a 1–0 win over Hamburger SV.[18] He became Augsburg's top goalscorer with five goals in 15 appearances despite playing for them for only half a season.[19] He performed a significant part in helping Augsburg avoid relegation in their maiden Bundesliga season.[20]

In a DFB-Pokal match on 18 December, Koo was involved in an altercation with Bayern Munich's midfielder Franck Ribéry. After a disputed free kick, Koo confronted Ribéry and touched his face. Ribéry slapped Koo in response, and was sent off by referee Thorsten Kinhöfer.[21] Bayern Munich director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge demanded that the ejection be overturned, while Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes blamed both Koo and Ribéry, stating that although Koo had provoked Ribéry the latter should learn to not react under pressure.[22]

In his second season at Augsburg, Koo was plagued by injuries, but still helped his club survive relegation in the limited matches he played in.

Mainz 05

In the first half of the 2013–14 season, Koo returned to Wolfsburg, playing as a central midfielder or winger. However, he wanted more appearances, and preferred playing as an attacking midfielder like when he played for Augsburg.[23][24] On 18 January 2014, it was announced that he penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with Mainz 05.[25]

On 31 July 2014, Koo contributed to a 1–0 first-leg win by providing an assist in the third qualifying round of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League against Asteras Tripolis.[26] In the second leg on 7 August, he scored his first Europa League goal, but Mainz 05 were eliminated from the tournament after losing 3–1 to Asteras.[27] During the 2014–15 season, he was used as a winger again to replace Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Nicolai Müller, who left the club,[28] having five goals and two assists in 23 league appearances.[29]

Return to FC Augsburg

On 31 August 2015, Koo rejoined Augsburg, and so Augsburg spent a season with three South Korean players, including Ji Dong-won and Hong Jeong-ho.[30] On 12 September, he provided an assist for the opening goal with a backheel in a 2–1 defeat to Bayern Munich.[31] On 23 September, he won a penalty against Granit Xhaka, but it was insufficient to reverse the club's defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach.[32] On 21 February 2016, he scored a solo goal after starting to sprint behind the half-way line in a 1–0 win over Hannover 96.[33] On 6 March, he became the first-ever player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick for Augsburg,[34] giving them a 3–0 lead in a match against Bayer Leverkusen, which ended in a shocking 3–3 draw.[35] He had eight goals and four assists during 29 appearances at the 2015–16 Bundesliga.[36] He also participated at the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League, the first UEFA competition in Augsburg's history.[37] They earned three wins and three losses in the group stage, succeeding in advancing to the knockout stage.[38] Afterwards, they lost 1–0 on aggregate to Liverpool in the round of 32.[39] At the end of the 2015–16 season, he was evaluated as the league's fifth best attacking midfielder by magazine kicker.[40]

On 3 February 2019, he achieved his 200th Bundesliga appearance against Mainz 05.[41] He left Augsburg by turning down a contract extension with the club after the 2018–19 season.[42][43] He wanted to contract with a higher-ranked club,[44] but finally joined Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa in August 2019.[45]

International career

Koo made his senior international debut on 17 February 2008, coming on as a substitute in South Korea's 3–2 victory over China at the 2008 EAFF Championship.[46] The following year, he captained South Korea to the quarter-finals of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring from the penalty spot in a 3–0 group-stage victory over the United States.[47][48]

Koo attended South Korea's final training camp before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but one of the last three players to be cut.[49][50] Later that year, Koo captained the under-23 team to bronze at the Asian Games, scoring three goals, including one in a 4–3 comeback victory over Iran in the bronze-medal match.[51][52]

At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, coach Cho Kwang-rae moved Koo from a deeper midfield position into a withdrawn-forward role behind Ji Dong-won after Park Chu-young withdrew through injury, a change dubbed the "Koo shift" by the Korean press.[53] He played all six matches and scored four times in the group stage. After having South Korea's first attempt saved in the semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat by Japan,[54] he scored and assisted Ji in a 3–2 victory over Uzbekistan in the third-place match.[55] His five goals earned him the tournament's Golden Boot as South Korea finished third.[56]

Koo again served as captain at the 2012 Olympic tournament, appearing in all six matches.[57] In the bronze-medal match against Japan, he was booked for a strong tackle from behind on Yūki Ōtsu and repeatedly demanded "Why? Why? Why?" of the referee.[58][59] Koo later linked his emotions during the match to South Korea's 0–3 senior defeat by Japan the previous year.[60] He scored the second goal in South Korea's 2–0 victory, securing the country's first Olympic medal in football.[61]

Hong Myung-bo named Koo captain for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Aged 25, he became the youngest player to captain South Korea at a World Cup and started all three group matches, scoring in a 2–4 defeat by Algeria as the team finished with one point.[62][63][64] Koo later said that he had focused too much on managing the team away from the pitch rather than leading through his own performances.[65] At his retirement press conference in 2025, he called the tournament his greatest career disappointment and said that he had been too young to understand the social responsibility that came with representing the country.[66]

At the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Koo was named Player of the Match in a 1–0 opening victory over Oman. His saved shot created the rebound from which Cho Young-cheol scored the winning goal.[67][68] After missing the Kuwait match with a fever, he returned against hosts Australia but tore a ligament in his right elbow following an aerial challenge, ruling him out as South Korea went on to finish as runners-up.[69][70]

During qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Koo scored an 85th-minute winner in a 2–1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan in November 2016, moving South Korea into the group's second automatic qualification position.[71] At the finals, he started against Sweden and Germany. Against Germany, he partnered Son Heung-min in attack and performed a pressing role, but was substituted in the 56th minute after his injured knee swelled, before South Korea scored twice in stoppage time to win 2–0.[72][73] South Korea were nevertheless eliminated at the group stage.

Koo made his final international appearances at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. After the quarter-final defeat by Qatar, he announced his international retirement, having already decided after a tour of Australia in November 2018 that the tournament would be his last. Coach Paulo Bento had persuaded him to remain through the Asian Cup so that his experience could help the younger players.[74] Koo later said that repeated injuries on international duty, the resulting rehabilitation and competition for his club place had contributed to his decision.[75] He finished with 76 appearances and 19 goals.

Style of play

Koo showed his best performance when playing as an attacking midfielder, although he started his professional career as a defensive midfielder. He could play as a central midfielder, second striker, or winger if necessary.[23][76] He was praised for his techniques, especially a talent for getting out of opponents' pressure with the ball.[77] He also had an ability to find the back of the net, often displaying a knack to charge into the opposition penalty box unsighted.[78] However, his individual ability was occasionally criticised for slowing his team's tempo.[77]

Personal life

Koo likes to go shopping in his spare time in Germany.[79] He is currently the honorary ambassador for The Republic of Korea Air Force.[80] Koo is also a close friend with his teammate Ki Sung-yueng, and they like to display their friendly, humorous conversations on Twitter. Ki revealed on the Korean talk show Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy that Koo has a nickname called "Koogle Georim" (구글거림) because of his sometimes goofy way of talking.[81] On 24 June 2013, Koo married a Jeju woman three years his senior at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel.[82][83]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2025 Shooting Star Season 2 Himself [84]
The Gentlemen's League 4 Himself [85]
Kick a Goal: Legend Match South Korea–Japan Himself [86]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 24 November 2024[87]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Jeju United2007K League1011060——171
2008K League900050——140
2009K League2212161——303
2010K League2654010—3[c]0345
Total67771181—30959
VfL Wolfsburg2010–11Bundesliga10000———100
2011–12Bundesliga12000———120
2013–14Bundesliga10020———120
Total32020———340
FC Augsburg (loan)2011–12Bundesliga15500———155
2012–13Bundesliga21310———223
Total36810———378
Mainz 052013–14Bundesliga14100———141
2014–15Bundesliga23511—2[d]1—267
2015–16Bundesliga2000———20
Total39611—21—428
FC Augsburg2015–16Bundesliga27810—8[d]0—368
2016–17Bundesliga23221———253
2017–18Bundesliga28210———292
2018–19Bundesliga26220———282
Total1041461—80—11815
Al-Gharafa2019–20Qatar Stars League1810010——191
2020–21Qatar Stars League20510421[e]02[f]0287
Total386105210—478
Al-Khor2021–22Qatar Stars League800030——110
Jeju United2022K League 19100———91
2023K League 116011———171
2024K League 13010———40
Total28121———302
Career total352422042631115041450

International

As of 25 January 2019[88]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Korea 200820
201082
2011157
201231
201362
201481
201583
201672
201781
201870
201940
Career total7619
Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Koo Ja-cheol
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
19 January 2010Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa3 Zambia2–42–4Friendly
27 February 2010National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan6 Hong Kong2–05–02010 EAFF Championship
310 January 2011Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar11 Bahrain1–02–12011 AFC Asian Cup
42–0
514 January 2011Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar12 Australia1–01–12011 AFC Asian Cup
618 January 2011Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar13 India2–04–12011 AFC Asian Cup
728 January 2011Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar16 Uzbekistan1–03–22011 AFC Asian Cup
87 June 2011Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea19 Ghana2–12–1Friendly
915 November 2011Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon25 Lebanon1–11–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
1012 June 2012Goyang Sports Complex, Goyang, South Korea28 Lebanon3–03–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
116 September 2013Sungeui Arena Park, Incheon, South Korea31 Haiti2–14–1Friendly
1215 October 2013Cheonan Baekseok Stadium, Cheonan, South Korea34 Mali1–13–1Friendly
1322 June 2014Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil39 Algeria2–42–42014 FIFA World Cup
1427 March 2015Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon, South Korea45 Uzbekistan1–01–1Friendly
158 October 2015Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait48 Kuwait1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1612 November 2015Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea50 Myanmar2–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
171 September 2016Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea52 China3–03–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1815 November 2016Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea57 Uzbekistan2–12–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1914 November 2017Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan, South Korea65 Serbia1–11–1Friendly

Honours

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

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: List of players" (PDF). FIFA. 8 July 2018. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ja-Cheol Koo, Heung-Min Son and Bum-Kun Cha: The top 3 South Koreans in Bundesliga history". Bundesliga. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Heung-Min Son, Bum-Kun Cha and the top 5 South Koreans in Bundesliga history. Bundesliga. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Ja-Cheol Koo" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  6. 1 2 [아시안컵]'라벤더향' 구자철의 어린시절은? (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Koo Ja-cheol to Have Blackburn Trial". The Korea Times. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 [K리그 대상] 개인상 싹쓸이 제주, 준우승 아쉬움 날렸다 (in Korean). Best Eleven. 20 December 2010.
  9. ↑ 구자철, VfL 볼프스부르크 이적 (in Korean). Jeju United FC. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "Neustart missglückt: 0:1-Heimniederlage gegen den HSV" (in German). VfL Wolfsburg. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "FCA verpflichtet Koo Ja-Cheol" (in German). FC Augsburg. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "Augsburg sign Koo Ja-Cheol" (in German). Bundesliga. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Kießling trifft doppelt" (in German). kicker. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "Koo und Langkamp sichern Heimsieg" (in German). kicker. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "Füllkrugs Traumtor reicht Werder nicht" (in German). kicker. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  16. ↑ "Augsburg macht großen Schritt Richtung Klassenerhalt" (in German). kicker. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Auf Gomez ist Verlass" (in German). kicker. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  18. ↑ "Koo-Kopfball sorgt für gelungenen Abschluss" (in German). kicker. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  19. ↑ "Steckbrief 2011/12 Koo Ja-Cheol" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  20. ↑ "Augsburg Celebrate Survival". Sporting Life. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  21. ↑ "Slap Fight! Franck Ribery sent off for cuffing Koo Ja-Cheol (Augsburg v Bayern)". 101 Great Goals. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "Rummenigge calls for Ribery red card justice". ESPN. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  23. 1 2 [볼프스 통신] 구자철의 '포지션 혼란기', 헤킹 감독의 생각은? (in Korean). Footballist. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  24. ↑ 마인츠행 구자철, 자기 포지션 찾을까 (in Korean). OhmyNews. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "Ja-Cheol Koo wird Mainzer" (in German). Mainz 05. 18 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  26. ↑ "FSV Mainz 05 1 – 0 Asteras Tripolis: Hjulmand wins his coaching debut at M05". Bundesliga Fanatic. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  27. ↑ '구자철 골' 마인츠, 유로파 조기 탈락 수모 (in Korean). Goal. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  28. ↑ 뮐러 떠난 마인츠, 구자철을 측면으로 (in Korean). Goal. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  29. ↑ "Steckbrief 2014/15 Koo Ja-Cheol" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  30. ↑ "FC Augsburg Kader 2015/16" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  31. ↑ [분데스리가 4R 9/12] 구자철, 이적 첫 경기서 뮌헨 상대로 어시스트 기록. YouTube (in Korean). JTBC Golf&Sports. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  32. ↑ 지구호! 선발출전 [분데스리가 6R 9/24] 묀헨글라드바흐 VS 아우크스부르크 H/L. YouTube (in Korean). JTBC Golf&Sports. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  33. ↑ '폭풍 드리블' 구자철, 개인기 후 완벽한 골까지 연결. Naver (in Korean). JTBC. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  34. ↑ "South Korean Koo Scores Augsburg's First Bundesliga Hat-Trick". The Global Herald. 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  35. ↑ "In letzter Sekunde – Calhanoglu kontert dreifachen Koo" (in German). kicker. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  36. ↑ "Steckbrief 2015/16 Koo Ja-Cheol" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  37. ↑ "FC Augsburg". UEFA. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  38. ↑ Stokkermans, Karel (23 March 2017). "UEFA European Competitions 2015–16". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  39. ↑ "Liverpool 1–0 FC Augsburg (agg. 1–0)". BBC Sport. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  40. ↑ "Müller vor BVB-Duo – Zwei Bremer neu dabei" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  41. ↑ "Congratulations to Ja-Cheol Koo, who made his 200th Bundesliga appearance yesterday!". Facebook. FC Augsburg. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  42. ↑ "S. Korean Koo Ja-cheol rejects 3-year offer from FC Augsburg: agent". Yonhap News Agency. 21 May 2019.
  43. ↑ "Vertrag beim FCA ist ausgelaufen: Was macht Ja-Cheol Koo jetzt?" (in German). Augsburger Allgemeine. 7 July 2019.
  44. ↑ [KOO 오피셜]독일을 떠나면서 꼭 하고 싶었던 말들. YouTube (in Korean). ShootingStar. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
  45. ↑ "Former Bundesliga man Koo Ja-cheol joins Qatar's Al Gharafa". Fox Sports Asia. 2 August 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  46. ↑ A매치 데뷔 구자철 '느낌 좋네' [Koo Ja-cheol feels good after international debut] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 18 February 2008.
  47. ↑ '캡틴' 구자철, 쐐기골로 3점차 대승 이끌었다 [Captain Koo Ja-cheol seals three-goal victory] (in Korean). Seoul Broadcasting System. Yonhap News Agency. 3 October 2009.
  48. ↑ 구자철 "4강은 간절히 원한 꿈" [Koo Ja-cheol: "The semi-finals were a long-held dream"] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 9 October 2009.
  49. ↑ 당락 기준은 '경기력' [Performance was the criterion for selection] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 1 June 2010.
  50. ↑ "South Korea leave Lee Keun-ho out of World Cup squad". The Guardian. Press Association. 1 June 2010.
  51. ↑ 황금세대로 성장할 '홍명보의 아이들' 주목 [Attention on "Hong Myung-bo's children" developing into a golden generation] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 24 June 2013.
  52. ↑ 남자 축구 '감동의 동메달' [Men's football team wins an emotional bronze medal] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 25 November 2010.
  53. ↑ 조광래호, 아시안컵 베스트 윤곽 '구자철 시프트' [Cho Kwang-rae settles on "Koo Ja-cheol shift" for Asian Cup] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 5 January 2011.
  54. ↑ "Japan beat S. Korea on penalties to reach final". Reuters. 25 January 2011.
  55. ↑ 5골 구자철, 득점왕 '예약' [Five-goal Koo Ja-cheol poised to become top scorer] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 29 January 2011.
  56. ↑ "Koo: Best chance for Taegeuk Warriors to end wait". Asian Football Confederation. 28 December 2023.
  57. ↑ Yoo, Jee-ho (14 January 2025). "Ex-nat'l football team captain Koo Ja-cheol retires, takes on advisory role with former club". Yonhap News Agency.
  58. ↑ [영상] 구자철 '옐로카드'…날선 한일전 긴장감 '팽팽' [Koo Ja-cheol receives yellow card as tension rises in Korea–Japan match] (in Korean). Seoul Broadcasting System. 11 August 2012.
  59. ↑ 기성용 "구자철, 영어공부 좀 해라"…트윗 배틀 [Ki Sung-yueng tells Koo Ja-cheol to study English in Twitter exchange]. MoneyToday (in Korean). 18 August 2012 – via Daum.
  60. ↑ 구자철 "정말로 지고 싶지 않았다" [Koo Ja-cheol: "I really did not want to lose"] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 11 August 2012 – via Nate.
  61. ↑ 한국축구, 일본 꺾고 올림픽 첫 동메달 [Korean football defeats Japan for first Olympic bronze medal] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 11 August 2012.
  62. ↑ Yoo, Jee-ho (21 May 2014). "Forward Koo Ja-cheol named S. Korean captain for World Cup". Yonhap News Agency.
  63. ↑ "Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 to close in on last 16". Reuters. 22 June 2014.
  64. ↑ 주장 구자철 "1년이라는 준비 기간 짧았다" [Captain Koo Ja-cheol: "One year was a short preparation period"] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 27 June 2014.
  65. ↑ Han, Jun (30 May 2019). 구자철③ 브라질 월드컵 복기 "난 진정한 리더가 아니었다" [Koo Ja-cheol revisits Brazil World Cup: "I was not a true leader"]. SPOTV News (in Korean).
  66. ↑ Bae, Jin-nam (14 January 2025). 현역은퇴 구자철의 축구 인생 최고 순간은 "런던올림픽 동메달" [Retiring Koo Ja-cheol names London Olympic bronze as his greatest football memory] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency.
  67. ↑ Yoo, Jee-ho (10 January 2015). "Former captain Koo Ja-cheol redeems self with strong match vs. Oman". Yonhap News Agency.
  68. ↑ "AFC Asian Cup Group A: Korea Republic 1-0 Oman". Asian Football Confederation. 10 January 2015.
  69. ↑ "Korea Republic suffer Lee Chung-yong loss". Asian Football Confederation. 13 January 2015.
  70. ↑ 구자철 팔꿈치 인대 파열…대회 마감 [Koo Ja-cheol's Asian Cup ends with torn elbow ligament] (in Korean). Yonhap News TV. 18 January 2015.
  71. ↑ Yoo, Jee-ho (15 November 2016). "Veteran midfielder saves S. Korea from embarrassment in World Cup qualifier". Yonhap News Agency.
  72. ↑ Smyth, Rob (18 June 2018). "Sweden 1-0 South Korea: World Cup 2018 – as it happened". The Guardian.
  73. ↑ '절뚝거린' 구자철, "5분이라도 더 뛰겠다고 했다" [Injured Koo Ja-cheol: "I said I would play even five more minutes"]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 28 June 2018 – via Daum.
  74. ↑ A매치 76경기에서 멈춘 구자철의 태극마크…"대표팀 은퇴" [Koo Ja-cheol's international career ends after 76 matches] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 26 January 2019.
  75. ↑ 구자철, 직접 들어보니 비로소 이해되는 '서른, 은퇴의 이유' [Koo Ja-cheol explains the reasons for retiring internationally at thirty]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 29 May 2019.
  76. ↑ 구자철, 최적의 포지션은 어디인가 (in Korean). OhmyNews. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  77. 1 2 비상 위한 구자철의 변신, 신의 한 수 될까 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  78. ↑ "Marco Fabian, Isco and the young stars who could emerge at the 2012 Olympics". Goal. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  79. ↑ 구자철은 왜 독일에서 여자 취급받았나 (in Korean). Sportalkorea. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  80. ↑ 구자철, 공군 홍보대사 위촉 (in Korean). Citydaily. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  81. ↑ 기성용, "구자철 별명은 구글거림" 폭로 (in Korean). The Asia Business Daily. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  82. ↑ 구자철 결혼 발표...6월22일 연상녀와 '웨딩마치' (in Korean). Etoday. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  83. ↑ 구자철, 1세 연상 신부와 결혼…스포츠·연예계 스타 총출동. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  84. ↑ Kim, Ga-young (7 August 2025). 구자철·이근호 출사표···'슈핑스타2', 역대급 조합 [Koo Ja-cheol and Lee Keun-ho will participate in the "Shooting Star 2"] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  85. ↑ Jung, Hye-jin (15 October 2025). [단독] ‘뭉쳐야찬다4’ 구자철 감독 데뷔 [[Exclusive] Koo Ja-cheol made his debut as a manager at "The Gentlemen's League 4"]. BNT News (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via Naver.
  86. ↑ Kim, Chae-yeon (13 November 2025). '골때녀' 스핀오프 온다..박지성·이영표·구자철 출격 '레전드 한일전' 전격 공개 ['Kick a Goal' spin-off is coming… Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Koo Ja-cheol appeared in the "Legend Match Korea–Japan Match", which will be revealed]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  87. ↑ Koo Ja-cheol at Soccerway
  88. ↑ "KFA – Koo Ja-cheol" (in Korean). KFA.
  89. ↑ <프로축구> K-리그 올스타팀 20명 확정 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  90. ↑ "AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011". AFC.
  91. ↑ 양보없는 승부...구자철 '별 중의 별' (in Korean). YTN. 21 June 2013.
  92. ↑ "The results are in! This is your FCA Dream Starting XI". Twitter.com. FC Augsburg. 12 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
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