1. Overview
Kim Kyeong-min (김경민Kim Kyeong-minKorean) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is currently with K League 1 club Gwangju FC. His career began with Jeju United and includes significant stints with Busan IPark, Pocheon Citizen FC, and Seoul E-Land FC. Known for his modern playing style that emphasizes footwork and on-ball play, he has been a key player, particularly for Gwangju FC, contributing to their K League 2 championship in 2022 and their first-ever qualification for the AFC Champions League in 2023.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Kim Kyeong-min was born on November 1, 1991. He began his football journey early, representing South Korea U-20 and U-23 teams between 2009 and 2012.
In October 2009, he was included in the squad for the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, where he played a crucial role as a starter, helping the team secure qualification for the main tournament. However, he was not selected for the final squad announced on September 27, 2010. Later, in December 2013, Kim Kyeong-min was named in the preliminary squad for the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship. While he made it to the final roster, he did not feature in any matches during the tournament.
3. Club Career
Kim Kyeong-min's professional club career has seen him play for several South Korean clubs, including Jeju United, Busan IPark, Pocheon Citizen FC, Seoul E-Land FC, and Gwangju FC.
3.1. Jeju United
Kim Kyeong-min joined K League 1 club Jeju United as a free agent draft pick in 2013, alongside Ryu Seung-woo, while he was still a fourth-year student at Hanyang University. He made his professional club debut for Jeju United on August 16, 2014, in a 1-0 victory against Ulsan Hyundai. He remained with Jeju United for several seasons, gaining early professional experience.
3.2. Busan IPark
On January 18, 2017, Kim Kyeong-min was loaned to K League 2 club Busan IPark. During his loan spell, he gained further playing time and experience in the second tier of South Korean football.
3.3. Pocheon Citizen FC
During his mandatory social service period, Kim Kyeong-min played for Pocheon Citizen FC. He participated in the K3 League in 2019 and the K4 League in 2020.
3.4. Seoul E-Land FC
Ahead of the 2021 season, Kim Kyeong-min transferred to K League 2 club Seoul E-Land FC. He quickly established himself within the team and was nominated as a vice captain, reflecting his leadership qualities.
3.5. Gwangju FC
Prior to the 2022 season, Kim Kyeong-min was involved in a trade with Yoon Bo-sang, which saw him move from Seoul E-Land FC to Gwangju FC. This move marked a significant turning point in his career. In the 2022 season, he became the main goalkeeper for Gwangju FC, playing a pivotal role in their successful campaign. His strong performances contributed to Gwangju FC winning the K League 2 championship in 2022. For his outstanding contributions, he was also selected for the K League 2 Best XI for the 2022 season.
Continuing his impressive form, Kim Kyeong-min remained the main goalkeeper for Gwangju FC in the 2023 season. He had his best season to date, conceding only 22 goals in 26 matches. His consistent performance was instrumental in Gwangju FC securing their first-ever qualification for the AFC Champions League. He was nominated for the best goalkeeper award in the K League 1 for 2023 but ultimately lost to Jo Hyeon-woo. In the 2024 season, he continued to be a key player, making 35 appearances in the K League 1, 1 appearance in the cup, and 4 appearances in the AFC Champions League Elite.
4. Playing Style
Kim Kyeong-min's playing style is heavily influenced by the tactical philosophy of coach Lee Jung-hyo, which requires the goalkeeper to function almost as an additional field player. This modern approach emphasizes the goalkeeper's involvement in build-up play. When Kim Kyeong-min gains possession of the ball, he frequently engages in on-ball play, similar to a defender, by exchanging short passes with his teammates in the defensive line. This style highlights his excellent footwork and technical ability. While this proactive approach carries a certain level of risk, his quick reflexes and ability to make rapid saves even after a potential mistake mitigate some of these risks, making him a valuable asset in a possession-based system.
5. Awards and Honors
Kim Kyeong-min has received several team and individual accolades throughout his professional career.
5.1. Team Awards
- K League 2
- Winner: 2022
5.2. Individual Awards
- K League 2 Best XI: 2022
- Nominated for K League 1 Best Goalkeeper: 2023
6. Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jeju United | 2014 | K League 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| Busan IPark (loan) | 2017 | K League 2 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 15 | 0 | |
| Pocheon Citizen | 2019 | K3 League | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 19 | 0 | |
| 2020 | K4 League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 6 | 0 | ||
| Total | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 25 | 0 | |||
| Seoul E-Land | 2021 | K League 2 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 34 | 0 | |
| Gwangju FC | 2022 | K League 2 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 34 | 0 | |
| 2023 | K League 1 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 0 | ||
| Total | 95 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 189 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 199 | 0 | ||