'18-year-old soccer prodigy' Kim Ye-geon makes debut just six days after joining club, scores crucial goal in 'active performance'... "11 minutes was enough" Successful European debut

*This content was translated by AI.

'Soccer prodigy' Kim Ye-geon (18) made his official debut just six days after joining the prestigious Serbian club Crvena Zvezda.

Zvezda secured a 2-0 victory over Zemun in an away match at Dragan Jajić Stadium in Ub, Serbia, on the 31st (Korean time) in the 7th round of the 2026–2027 Serbian SuperLiga. With five consecutive wins since the season opener (15 points), Zvezda maintained its top position in the league based on goal difference.

Kim Ye-geon, who signed a five-year contract with Zvezda and joined the club on the 25th, immediately seized his debut opportunity. In the 34th minute of the second half, while his team led 1-0, he was substituted in for Dimitrije Sarić, donning the number 19 jersey to step onto the field.

Kim Ye-geon, who played for approximately 11 minutes, did not record an attacking point but was deeply involved in creating scoring opportunities. Just after entering the match, in the 36th minute of the second half, he broke through on the left side of the penalty area and delivered a precise cutback, but Matej Gastarov's shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

In stoppage time of the second half, Kim Ye-geon drove down the right flank and delivered a left-footed cross that deflected off a defender; Mirko Ivančić converted the rebound with a turning shot to complete the team's second goal.

Kim Ye-geon, who recorded 10 ball touches and one key pass in today's match, received a rating of 6.4 from football statistics platform Sofascore.

Born in 2008, Kim Ye-geon is a product of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Youth and attracted early attention from European clubs. He was on the verge of joining Dutch club Feyenoord during elementary school but turned away due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March this year, he signed a semi-professional contract with Jeonbuk, and in July, he became the first high school student in the club's history to sign a formal professional contract.

He quickly adapted to the professional stage. He made his K League 1 debut at just 17 years old last July. In his second match, during the 'Hyundai Derby' against Ulsan HD, he scored his debut goal, rising to seventh place on the all-time list for youngest goalscorers in K League 1 history (17 years, 11 months, and 4 days). His overall K League 1 record stands at eight matches with one goal.

Kim Ye-geon chose Zvezda as his first European destination to secure playing time. The transfer fee was approximately 500,000 euros (about 8 billion won). Jeonbuk included a clause in the contract entitling them to receive 25% of any future transfer fee if Kim Ye-geon moves to another club. In Serbia, he is also evaluated as an immediate asset and a key resource for generating future resale value.

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*This content was translated by AI.