[Official] '18-year-old soccer prodigy' Kim Ye-geon signs professional contract with Jeonbuk: "First title for the club; I will not become complacent"

*This content was translated by AI.

It is a historic contract. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors has signed a formal professional contract with midfielder Kim Ye-geon (18), the first goal scorer born in 2008 in K League history and an elite prospect from its own youth academy.

Jeonbuk announced on the 13th via a press release that it has signed a formal professional contract with midfielder Kim Ye-geon, a product of its youth academy, and completed his registration as a professional player.

Kim Ye-geon, who has officially become a professional player, said, "It is an immense honor and deeply moving to sign a formal professional contract with Jeonnam Dragons, the team I have dreamed of since childhood, as a high school student. True to the title of being the first in the club's history, I will not be arrogant but will diligently learn from my seniors and become a player who brings joy to fans who visit Jeonju Stadium."

This contract marks the first case in Jeonbuk's club history where a player transitioned from semi-professional to full professional status while still enrolled in high school. While Jeonbuk has previously produced semi-professional players such as Kim Jung-hoon, Kim Jun-hong, and Kang Sang-yun, it was customary for all of them to sign formal professional contracts in January of the following year upon nearing high school graduation. Kim Ye-geon is the first player to leave semi-professional status while still attending high school and immediately sign a full professional contract.

Kim Ye-geon has been regarded as one of the country's top prospects since childhood. Known as a football prodigy, he quickly garnered attention through various TV programs and personal skill special videos. During elementary school, he was on the verge of joining the Feyenoord youth team in the Netherlands. At that time, club officials visited Korea directly and had even reached the final stages of the signing process, but the opportunity was ultimately lost due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic just before his departure. Since then, Kim Ye-geon has progressed through Jeonbuk's youth system, attending Geumsan Middle School affiliated with Dongda and Jeonju Yeongseng High School, growing into a core asset for Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO) team based on his refined skills and exceptional game understanding.

Kim Ye-geon, who signed a semi-professional contract with Jeonbuk in March this year, played 11 matches in the K3 League as a member of Team B (Jeonbuk N-team), which serves as an independent stepping stone to the senior level, scoring three goals including a free-kick goal to complete his preparations.

Kim Ye-geon, who joined Team A in mid-June, made his professional debut on the 4th against Gangwon FC and exploded onto the scene on the 11th during the K League 1 Round 17 Hyundai Derby against Ulsan HD at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

In the most pressure-filled rivalry match, substitute Kim Ye-geon scored in the 34th minute of the second half by winning the ball through intense pressure in the opponent's territory, followed by a daring left-footed mid-range shot that found the back of the net.

It is a historic goal. Scoring in just his second professional debut match, this goal marks the first-ever goal by a player born in 2008 in K League history and sets a record as the seventh-youngest scorer in K League history at 17 years, 11 months, and 4 days old.

Kim Ye-geon's rapid transition to a full professional player is hailed as the ultimate fruit of the organic combination of Jeollabuk-do's youth system, which traces back to Geumsan Middle School and Yeongsang High School, and the operation of B teams that provide semi-professional stage experience. Park Jong-hyun, who previously coached him, recalled through the club, "He had an extremely strong competitive spirit. He relentlessly chased rivals and competitors. Even in his youth, he managed himself like a professional player." He also praised Kim as "a kid who should not exist in South Korea."

Kim Ye-geon, who shook up the derby and announced the birth of a major star for Hyundai, expressed his ambition: "I want to gradually play more games in Gyeonggi-do, score many goals, and show fans many good performances." He will challenge consecutive game appearances in the away match against Incheon United on the 18th.

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*This content was translated by AI.