1. Overview
Go Yo-han (고요한Korean; 高余韓Korean; born March 10, 1988) is a South Korean former professional footballer who primarily played as a right-back or winger. He is widely recognized as a one-club man for FC Seoul, where he spent his entire professional playing career from 2004 until his retirement in 2023. Known for his exceptional positional versatility, Go Yo-han was a utility player capable of playing almost any outfield position except goalkeeper and centre-back. His career at FC Seoul was marked by significant contributions to the team's multiple K League 1 titles, FA Cup, and League Cup victories. He also represented the South Korea national team at various levels, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Following his retirement, FC Seoul honored his legacy by retiring his jersey number 13 and appointing him as a coach for their U-18 team.
2. Early Life and Background
Go Yo-han was born on March 10, 1988, in Masan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. His early life was marked by a significant decision to pursue a professional football career at a young age.
2.1. Youth Career
Go Yo-han made an early entry into the professional football world. In 2004, he dropped out of Changwon Towol Middle School after reportedly failing a math class. This decision allowed him to join the youth system of FC Seoul, marking the official beginning of his journey in professional football.
2.2. Personal Life
He is 67 in (170 cm) tall. His given name, Yo-han, is derived from the Korean translation of the name John, specifically referring to John the Apostle. He is a devout Catholic, and his baptismal name is also John.
3. Club Career
Go Yo-han's entire professional playing career was dedicated to FC Seoul, establishing him as a rare one-club man in South Korean football. He progressed through the ranks, showcasing remarkable adaptability and becoming a pivotal player for the team.
3.1. Entry and Professional Debut
Go Yo-han joined FC Seoul in 2004, stepping directly into the professional setup after leaving middle school. He made his professional debut in the Korean League Cup in 2006. Following his debut, he made three appearances in the K-League 2007 season and two appearances in the K-League 2008 season, gradually integrating into the senior squad.
3.2. Key Performances and Positional Versatility
Go Yo-han's career was defined by his exceptional versatility. In 2009, he began to secure more starting opportunities after teammate Lee Chung-yong transferred to Bolton Wanderers. Despite this, he only managed 23 appearances across the K-League 2009 and K-League 2010 seasons, struggling to firmly establish himself as a consistent starter.
The K-League 2011 season marked a turning point for Go Yo-han. He scored the opening goal in an AFC Champions League 2011 group stage match against Al Ain FC, which helped him regain form. Later in the season, he transitioned to the right-back position, a role he excelled in. This positional change allowed him to become a regular starter, and in the K-League 2012 season, he made 38 appearances, significantly contributing to FC Seoul's K League 1 title victory.
In the K-League 2013 season, with the arrival of Cha Du-ri at FC Seoul, Go Yo-han moved back to a winger role. On April 28, during the 9th round league match against Gangwon FC, he was substituted in and delivered a remarkable performance, scoring two goals and providing one assist within eight minutes, leading his team to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory.
He continued his impactful performances in 2014, scoring the equalizer in a AFC Champions League group stage away match against Beijing Guoan, securing a 1-1 draw. On March 26, in the 4th round of the K League Classic, he scored the opening goal against Jeju United FC in the 68th minute, leading his team to their first league win of the season. Later that year, on November 9, he scored a crucial winning goal in the 93rd minute against rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings, securing a 1-0 victory. In the 2015 season, he recorded 33 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
In 2016, Go Yo-han scored a dramatic equalizer in the 120th minute of the second leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against Urawa Red Diamonds. This goal forced a penalty shootout, which FC Seoul won 7-6, allowing them to advance to the quarterfinals. He made 28 appearances and scored two goals in the 2017 season.
On April 11, 2018, against Pohang Steelers, Go Yo-han scored an equalizer in the 32nd minute and a winning goal in the 62nd minute, leading FC Seoul to a 2-1 victory after being down 0-1. In the latter half of the 2018 season, he was appointed as the new captain by acting manager Lee Eul-yong, succeeding Shin Kwang-hoon. He continued to serve as captain in 2019 and 2020, becoming the longest-serving captain in FC Seoul's history.
3.3. Milestones and Retirement
On June 20, 2020, Go Yo-han reached a significant career milestone by making his 400th K League appearance in an 8th-round match against Ulsan Hyundai FC. He remained a dedicated player for FC Seoul throughout his career, ultimately retiring after the 2023 season. In recognition of his loyalty and contributions as a one-club man, FC Seoul officially retired his jersey number 13 on February 2, 2024.
4. National Team Career
Go Yo-han represented South Korea at various levels of international football, from youth squads to the senior national team, participating in major tournaments.
4.1. Youth International Career
Go Yo-han began his international career with the South Korea U-17 national team. He made two appearances in 2003 and five appearances in 2004, totaling seven caps for the U-17 squad. These appearances included matches in the 2004 AFC U-17 Championship qualification and the 2004 AFC U-17 Championship itself.
4.2. Senior International Career
Go Yo-han received his first call-up to the senior national team on October 5, 2009, for a friendly match against Senegal scheduled for October 14. He made his A-match debut in this game, coming on as a substitute in the second half.
In 2012, he was called up by coach Choi Kang-hee for a match against Zambia on August 15, marking his first national team appearance since his positional change to right-back. He subsequently played as a right-back in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.
He participated in the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup alongside his FC Seoul teammates Ha Dae-sung and Yun Il-lok, playing a key role as a starter. In 2014, he was included in the South Korean national team's training squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On November 10, 2017, Go Yo-han delivered a highly impressive performance in a friendly match against Colombia, effectively neutralizing their star player James Rodríguez. He was also part of the South Korean squad that won the 2017 EAFF E-1 Championship.
In May 2018, he was named in South Korea's preliminary 28-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was ultimately included in the final 23-man squad. On June 27, 2018, Go Yo-han made his World Cup debut, coming on as a substitute for Hwang Hee-chan in the 80th minute of South Korea's final group stage match against Germany.
5. Career Statistics
Go Yo-han's career statistics reflect his long tenure and consistent performance for FC Seoul and the national team.
5.1. Club Statistics
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Play-offs | Continental | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| South Korea | League | KFA Cup | League Cup | Play-offs | ACL | Total | ||||||||
| 2006 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 2009 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2010 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 9 | 1 | ||||
| 2011 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 8 | 1 | 29 | 4 | |||
| 2012 | 38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 40 | 1 | |||||
| 2013 | 37 | 5 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 1 | 52 | 6 | ||||
| 2014 | 32 | 4 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 9 | 1 | 44 | 5 | ||||
| 2015 | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 1 | 41 | 3 | ||||
| 2016 | 27 | 2 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 11 | 2 | 42 | 4 | ||||
| 2017 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 0 | 34 | 2 | ||||
| 2018 | 32 | 8 | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 1 | - | 36 | 9 | ||||
| 2019 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 36 | 3 | |||||
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 17 | 2 | |||||
| 2021 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 21 | 0 | |||||
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Career total | 350 | 31 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 55 | 6 | 442 | 40 | ||
5.2. International Statistics
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-17 South Korea | 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 7 | 0 | |
| South Korea | 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 21 | 0 |
6. Honours
Go Yo-han's career was marked by numerous team successes with FC Seoul and an international title with the South Korean national team.
6.1. Club Honours
FC Seoul
- K League 1
- Winners (3): 2010, 2012, 2016
- Runners-up (1): 2008
- Third Place (1): 2014
- Fourth Place (3): 2006, 2013, 2015
- FA Cup
- Winners (1): 2015
- Runners-up (2): 2014, 2016
- League Cup
- Winners (2): 2006, 2010
- Runners-up (1): 2007
- Third Place (1): 2009
- AFC Champions League
- Runners-up (1): 2013
- Third Place (2): 2014, 2016
6.2. International Honours
South Korea
- EAFF E-1 Championship
- Winners (1): 2017
7. Post-Retirement
Following his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023 season, Go Yo-han transitioned into a coaching role. On February 2, 2024, FC Seoul officially announced his appointment as a coach for Osan High School, which serves as the club's U-18 team. This move allows him to continue contributing to the development of young talent within the club he served for his entire playing career.