Jeju United recruited six rookies, including Kang Min-jae, Choi Byung-wook, Kim Jun-ha, Joo Seung-min, Kim Jin-ho, and Kim Ji-woon, a 'defensive prospect'
Jeju United recruited six rookies, including Kang Min-jae, Choi Byung-wook, Kim Jun-ha, Joo Seung-min, Kim Jin-ho, and Kim Ji-woon, a 'defensive prospect'
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Jeju has recruited six rookies.
Jeju United (hereinafter referred to as Jeju) announced on January 2 that it has recruited six rookies to strengthen its power in the 2025 season and manage the team in accordance with the U-22 participation regulations.
He signed Kim Ji-woon as a free starter, with Kang Min-jae, Choi Byung-wook, Kim Jun-ha, Joo Seung-min and Kim Jin-ho from the Jeju U-18 team as the preferred designation. In particular, with Kang Min-jae's entry as a professional, all the players from the current Jeju U-18 team, who were designated as priority in 2022, achieved the feat of wearing Jeju uniforms as professionals.
Kang Min-jae (22) is a former member of the Jeju Under-18 team. He went on to Yonsei University after being nominated first in 2022. He led the team to the semifinals of the 2021 National High School League and the 76th National High School Championship with Lim Joon-seop, Han Jong-moo, Ji Sang-wook, Jaemin Kim, and Park Joo-seung, who entered the professional league earlier. He also played as a leading striker at Yonsei University and was selected to the 23rd Denso Cup Korea-Japan University football team last year, continuing to raise stock prices. Not only does he have excellent decision-making power, but he also has good connections, physical and off-the-ball movements. In particular, with Kim Min-jae joining Jeju, all the players from the Jeju Under-18 team who were nominated first in 2022 will enter the professional stage, which is the final destination, marking a new milestone for Jeju Youth.
Choi Byung-wook (20) and Kim Jun-ha (20) are also promising players from the Jeju Under-18 team and went through Soongsil University. As a right wing-forward, Choi boasts excellent speed and penetration, as well as an intermediate-range artillery that caught people off guard. Kim Jun-ha is an aggressive midfielder. He excels in dribbling and plays well. Both players have excellent personal skills, as they played as game changers at Soongsil University. They also work well together. When Kim Joon-ha moves to the side and tries to make a cutback, Choi quickly hits the center and finishes the game.
Joo Seung-min (19) and Kim Jin-ho (19) were also from the Jeju Under-18 team, and successfully advanced to the pro league immediately after graduation. Joo Seung-min is a promising new goalie who participated in the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup held in Thailand in June 2023. He was considered one of Jeju's next-generation goalkeepers early on due to his overwhelming physique of 192 centimeters per kilogram and outstanding defense capability. Kim Jin-ho is an all-weather midfielder who played an active role in the youth team by wearing the No.10 uniform, the symbol of the ace player. He displayed high school-class play by dribbling forward until finishing the game in front of the goalpost.
Kim Ji-woon (19) is a promising defensive player produced by Pyeongtaek Jinwi FC. He is a right-sided defender with good forward movement, dribbling and kick skills as well as strikers. Notably, he scored multiple goals against Seohae High School in the final match of the Busan MBC High School Championship in February last year, giving Pyeongtaek Jinwi FC its first championship of the season. Thanks to his stellar performance, he was also selected to the roster of Korean men's under-19 national team led by coach Lee Chang-won last year.
Meanwhile, Kang Hyo-on (21, Chung-Ang University), a former member of the Jeju Under-18 team, will leave on loan to Daejeon Korail, a member of the K3 League, after a professional call-up. Kang is a midfielder with excellent physical strength of 187 centimeters and good control over the midfield, and is a rising star in the midfield that can supply high-quality passes. 스포츠토토
"They are all promising players with outstanding potential. I have high expectations. I think it is more encouraging that a large number of Jeju Youth players have joined the pro league," said Kim Hak-beom.