*This content was translated by AI.
Kangwon FC center back Shin Min-ha (21) has been selected as the top U23 player in the K League by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), a body under the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Shin Min-ha received a score of 70.1 in CIES's global evaluation of U23 field players across 67 leagues, released on the 16th, earning the highest score among U23 players competing in the K League.
CIES evaluated U23 players in each league over the past six months, up to the 9th, using its own eight assessment criteria, including player records, league level, results, and playing time.
Shin Min-ha, who has been evaluated by CIES for his strength in build-up play, has appeared in six matches (532 minutes) in this season's K League 1 and is playing as a key defender for his team.
Having played as a key defender for Gangwon in 20 matches during the 2024 season and 29 matches in the previous season with one goal and one assist, he has consistently been a central figure since his professional debut and is also a key center-back resource for the Asian Games national team led by coach Lee Min-seong.
Following Shin Min-ha, Kang Sang-yoon (22·Jeonbuk Hyundai) and Han Hyun-seo (22·Pohang Steelers), Seo Jae-min (23·Incheon United), and Kim Yong-hyeok (19·Gwangju FC) secured spots in the top five.
Kang Sang-yoon, a key figure in Jeonbuk's championship win last season, has appeared in six K League 1 matches this season, while Han Hyun-seo has played in five. Additionally, Seo Jae-min has featured in seven matches, recording one goal and one assist, and Kim Yong-hyeok has also appeared in six matches.
In addition, Kim Do-hyun (22·Gangwon FC), Moon Min-seo (22·Gwangju), Park Se-jin (22·Kim Cheon (SVP)), Hwang Seo-woong (21), and Kim Dong-jin (23·above Pohang) also ranked between 5th and 10th, securing their places in the top 10.
Among the top 10, Seo Jae-min (1,047 minutes) was the only player to have played more than 1,000 minutes, and Kim Yong-hyeok, born in 2007, was the only teenager.
According to the top 10 ranking, Pohang had the most with three members, while Gangwon·Gwangju, Incheon·Gimcheon·Pohang each had one member listed.
The top U23 players by club were Shin Min-ha of Gangwon, Kang Sang-yun of Jeonbuk, Han Hyun-seo of Pohang, Seo Jae-min of Incheon, Kim Yong-hyeok of Gwangju, Park Se-jin of Gimcheon, Moon Sung-woo of FC Anyang (23·14th overall), Kim Jun-ha of Jeju SK (21·15th), Baek In-woo of Ulsan HD (20·17th), and Son Jeong-beom of FC Seoul (19·18th). Other club U23 players did not make it into the top 20 selected by CIES.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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