1. Overview
Kim Sun-kyu (김선규Kim Sun-kyuKorean, born October 7, 1987) is a former South Korean football player who played as a goalkeeper. Throughout his professional career, he played for several K League clubs including Gyeongnam FC, Daejeon Citizen, and FC Anyang, before concluding his career at Busan Transportation Corporation FC. Notably, he led Dong-A University to a tournament victory during his youth career and later played a significant role in Daejeon Citizen's promotion to the K League Classic. Following his retirement from professional football, Kim Sun-kyu transitioned into goalkeeper coaching.
2. Playing Career
Kim Sun-kyu's professional football career spanned from 2010 to 2017, seeing him move through several K League clubs where he experienced periods of limited play, consistent starting roles, and intense competition for his position.
2.1. Youth and University Career
Before turning professional, Kim Sun-kyu developed his skills as a goalkeeper through youth football training. A notable achievement during his amateur career was leading Dong-A University to win a university tournament, showcasing his early leadership and goalkeeping abilities.
2.2. Gyeongnam FC (2010-2011)
Kim Sun-kyu began his professional career by joining Gyeongnam FC in 2010. During his two seasons with the club, he faced significant challenges in securing playing time due to the presence of Kim Byung-ji (김병지Kim Byung-jiKorean), who was the undisputed starting goalkeeper. As a result, Kim Sun-kyu did not make any official appearances for Gyeongnam FC during his tenure.
2.3. Daejeon Citizen (2012-2014)
In 2012, Kim Sun-kyu transferred to Daejeon Citizen. This move marked a turning point in his career as he rose to become the team's starting goalkeeper after Choi Eun-sung (최은성Choi Eun-sungKorean) departed the club due to a dispute. Kim Sun-kyu maintained his position as Daejeon's primary goalkeeper for three consecutive seasons. Although he experienced a slump during the mid-season of 2014, which led to him being replaced by Park Ju-won (박주원Park Ju-wonKorean), his strong performances in the early part of the season were instrumental in helping the team secure promotion to the K League Classic, the top tier of South Korean football.
2.4. FC Anyang (2015-2016)
Following Daejeon Citizen's promotion, Kim Sun-kyu moved to FC Anyang ahead of the 2015 season. His time at Anyang was characterized by fierce competition for the starting goalkeeper spot. In the 2015 season, he made only eight appearances, largely remaining behind Choi Pil-soo (최필수Choi Pil-sooKorean) in the pecking order. During an away match against Gyeongnam FC, he received a direct red card.
For the 2016 season, Kim Sun-kyu was initially assigned jersey number 31, which was later changed to 87, matching his birth year. Similar to the previous season, he struggled to establish himself as the undisputed starter at the beginning of the season, with Choi Pil-soo still preferred. However, after Choi Pil-soo's poor performance, including conceding four goals in a match against Gangwon FC, Kim Sun-kyu was given the opportunity to take over the starting role. He then guarded FC Anyang's goal for 19 matches, showcasing good form. Towards the end of the season, he once again faced competition, losing his starting position to Lee Jin-hyung (이진형Yi Jin-hyeongKorean) upon Lee's return from military service with Ansan Mugunghwa FC. Despite this, Kim Sun-kyu continued to contribute, stepping in to protect the goal when Lee Jin-hyung was unavailable due to three accumulated yellow cards. He concluded the 2016 season with a total of 21 appearances, with his final match being in Round 44 against Ansan Mugunghwa FC.
2.5. Busan Transportation Corporation FC and Retirement (2017)
Prior to the 2017 season, Kim Sun-kyu transferred to Busan Transportation Corporation FC. However, his tenure with the club was brief. He left the team mid-season to commence his mandatory military service, enlisting as an active duty soldier. His entry into military service also marked his simultaneous retirement from professional football.
3. Post-retirement Activities
After concluding his professional football career, Kim Sun-kyu has remained involved in the sport. He transitioned into coaching, specifically focusing on goalkeeper training. Currently, he provides private goalkeeper lessons, continuing to share his expertise and experience with aspiring footballers.
4. Assessment
Kim Sun-kyu's career as a professional footballer demonstrates a journey marked by resilience and key contributions despite facing challenges. Initially, he struggled for playing time at Gyeongnam FC, but he found his footing and became a reliable starting goalkeeper at Daejeon Citizen. His performances there were crucial in helping the team achieve promotion to the K League Classic, highlighting his importance as a key player in that period. While his time at FC Anyang was characterized by intense competition for the starting role, he proved capable of stepping up when opportunities arose, maintaining a competitive spirit. His career culminated in an early retirement due to military service obligations, a common path for South Korean athletes. Post-retirement, his dedication to the sport continues through his role as a goalkeeper coach, indicating his lasting commitment to the football community.