1. Early life and career
Hwang Ji-yoon was born on May 28, 1983, in South Korea. His early life led him to pursue a career in professional football, ultimately becoming a defender.
2. Professional career
Hwang Ji-yoon had a professional football career in the K League, where he primarily played as a defender for various clubs across South Korea.
2.1. Club career
Hwang Ji-yoon played for several professional clubs during his active career. He began his professional journey with Jeju United FC, a club known for its presence in the top tier of South Korean football. Following his time there, he moved to Bucheon SK. Later in his career, Hwang joined Daegu FC, contributing to their defensive line. His career also included a stint with Daejeon Citizen, where he took on a significant leadership role. Finally, he played for Sangju Sangmu, a military football club.
2.2. Daejeon Citizen captaincy
In 2010, Hwang Ji-yoon was appointed captain of Daejeon Citizen. In this role, he succeeded Choi Eun-sung as the team's leader. He served as captain for the duration of the 2010 season before passing on the captaincy to Park Sung-ho.
3. Match-fixing scandal and retirement
Hwang Ji-yoon's professional football career concluded prematurely due to his involvement in the 2011 K League match-fixing scandal. This scandal, which rocked South Korean professional football, led to severe penalties for many implicated players. As a consequence of his involvement, the K League imposed a five-year suspension on Hwang Ji-yoon. This ban effectively ended his professional football career.