Kim Sin-jin (Korean김신진; born July 13, 2001) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a striker for K League 2 club Seoul E-Land FC on loan from FC Seoul. He made his debut professional appearance in the 2022 K League 1 season.

Kim Sin-jin
Kim in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-07-13) July 13, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Daejeon, South Korea
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Seoul E-Land FC
Number 11
Youth career
2010–2014 Daejeon Jeonglim Elementary School
2014–2016 Gunsan Jeil Middle School
2017–2019 Gunsan Jeil High School
2019–2020 Gangneung Jeil High School (youth)
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Sun Moon University 20 (18)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– FC Seoul 53 (9)
2024–Seoul E-Land FC (loan)

Korean name
Hangul
김신진
Hanja
金信珍
Revised RomanizationGim Sin-jin
McCune–ReischauerKim Sinchin
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 30, 2024

Life and career

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Early life and youth career

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Kim Sin-jin was born on July 13, 2001, in Daejeon, South Korea.[1] He has an older brother named Jeong-jin, who influenced him to play soccer in second grade.[2][3] He attended Daejeon Jeonglim Elementary School, Gunsan Jeil Middle School, and Gunsan Jeil High School.[4] In 2018, Kim enrolled in Gangneung Jeil High School and played for the Gangwon FC U-18 squad at the 2nd Asia International Youth in Tottori tournament. He scored a hat trick against the Hong Kong national under-18 football team, leading his team to a 5–0 victory.[5]

At the start of the 2020 U-League college football season, Kim was unable to participate in three matches due to a calf injury.[3] Playing for Sun Moon University, Kim scored two goals at the U-League King of Kings finals against Dongguk University. His team won 2–1, giving the institution its first championship in the tournament.[6] He became the top-scoring player in the regional league with seven goals in six games.[3] Kim's performance earned him U-League's Best Young Player Award.[6] The following year, he played at the 57th Spring University Football Federation Tournament in Tongyeong, where he scored two goals in the finals against Jeonju University and allowed his team to win 3–1.[7] He also scored two goals at the 57th Autumn University Football Federation – Taebaeksangi competition, with his team winning 2–1 against Soongsil University.[8]

Senior career

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In 2021, Kim signed a free contract with FC Seoul.[9] He made his debut professional appearance as a substitute in the second round of the 2022 K League 1 season as the team faced off against Incheon United FC.[10] Amid an outbreak of COVID-19 among his team's squad, Kim played as a center back in the sixth round of the season against Jeju United FC.[11] Writing for the website InterFootball, Shin Dong-hun wrote that Kim appeared anxious in the position, which negatively impacted his gameplay.[12]

On July 30, 2024, he was loaned to Seoul E-Land FC.[13]

Style of play

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Kim plays as a striker identified as "key player" due to his strength, game sense, and flexibility.[9] He has occasionally been utilized as a center back.[12] Kim has cited Robert Lewandowski, Kim Ji-hyeon, and Harry Kane as role models.[3][4]

Career statistics

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As of July 30, 2024.[14]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Seoul 2022 K League 1 20 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 22 4
2023 27 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 5
2024 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Career total 56 9 2 1 0 0 0 0 58 10

References

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  1. ^ 선수단 소개 - 김신진 (in Korean). FC Seoul. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Kim, Ji-yun (August 30, 2021). [인터뷰] 피지컬 최고! 실력도 최고! 선문대 김신진을 아시나요? (in Korean). Korea University Sports Federation College Sports. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d An, Gi-hee (February 12, 2021). ‘2020 U리그 베스트 영플레이어’ 선문대 김신진을 주목하라 (in Korean). Korea Football Association. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Jang, Eun-ho; Lee, Na-won. [새내기 특집] 선문대 축구부 20학번 신입생 인터뷰 - FW (in Korean). Sun Moon University. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Kim, Yong-il (November 20, 2018). 강원 U-18, 국제대회서 홍콩·일본에 1승1무. Sportsseoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Jang, Bo-in (December 5, 2020). 선문대, 동국대 누르고 대학축구 U리그 왕중왕전 첫 우승 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Kim, Yong-il (March 7, 2021). 안익수의 선문대, 전주대 3-1 완파! '우승 피날레' [춘계대학연맹전 통영기]. Sportsseoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Lee, Jeong-tae (August 30, 2021). 선문대, 제57회 전국추계대학축구연맹전 우승. Viva 100 (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Kim, Dong-yeong (December 30, 2021). [오피셜] FC서울, '검증된 신인' 김신진-박장한결-박호민 영입. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Kim, Yeong-seong (February 26, 2022). '기성용 자책골 · 김진야 동점골' 서울, 인천과 1 대 1 무승부. SBS News (in Korean). Seoul Broadcasting System. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Kim, Alex (March 19, 2022). [Goal Live] '신인 스트라이커' FC서울 김신진, 센터백 선발 출전. Goal TV (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Shin, Dong-hun (March 19, 2022). 'ST 아닌 CB로' 김신진의 가혹했던 선발 데뷔전...팬들은 비판 대신 박수. InterFootball (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  13. ^ [오피셜] 서울 이랜드, ‘멀티형 공격수’ 김신진 임대 영입..."전 경기 출전과 5골 이상 목표". InterFootball (in Korean). July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  14. ^ Kim Sin-jin at Soccerway. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
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