1. Personal Information
Park Hyung-jin was born on June 24, 1990, in Haman County, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. He stands at 72 in (182 cm) tall and weighs 163 lb (74 kg). His elder brother, Park Jin-soo, is also a professional football player, and their careers have followed remarkably similar paths. Park Jin-soo is three years older than Park Hyung-jin.
2. Youth Career
Park Hyung-jin began playing football in the third grade of elementary school, influenced by his older brother, Park Jin-soo. He progressed through the youth football system, attending Suseo Middle School and Taesung High School. His youth career culminated at Korea University, where he played university football.
During his time at Korea University, Park became a regular starter as a left-back from his second year in 2010. He was also responsible for taking set-pieces for the team. In 2010, he contributed to Korea University's victory in the National University Football Tournament. His performances earned him selections to the South Korea national youth teams, including the U-20 national team in 2011 and the U-23 national team in the same year, with aspirations of participating in the 2012 London Olympics. However, an injury in his fourth year (2012) prevented him from playing in the university league and ultimately led to his omission from the Olympic squad.
3. Professional Career
Park Hyung-jin's professional career spans multiple clubs in both Japan and South Korea, marked by transfers, loan spells, and significant contributions to his teams.
3.1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Park Hyung-jin's entry into professional football began in Japan. He had been scouted by Sanfrecce Hiroshima's scout Adachi Shu since his second year at Korea University. In September 2012, Sanfrecce Hiroshima officially announced his signing. However, due to the timing of the transfer market, he was unable to participate in official matches during the 2012 season. In 2013, he signed a professional contract with Hiroshima, joining alongside teammates such as Kim Jeong-seok, Gakuto Notsuda, and Takuma Asano. He made his J1 League debut in 2013. His J.League debut came on March 17, 2013, in a J1 League match against Kashima Antlers, where he was substituted on in the 86th minute for Satoshi Yamagishi. On July 6, 2013, in a J1 League match against FC Tokyo, he scored his first J.League goal with a direct free kick in the 90+4 minute, securing a dramatic victory for his team.
3.2. Tochigi SC
In 2015, Park Hyung-jin was loaned to Tochigi SC. During his loan period, he made 37 appearances in the J2 League, contributing to the team's efforts throughout the season.
3.3. V-Varen Nagasaki
Following his loan spell, Park Hyung-jin made a permanent transfer to V-Varen Nagasaki in 2016. He continued to be a regular presence, making 36 appearances and scoring one goal in the J2 League during his tenure with the club.
3.4. Fagiano Okayama
After the 2016 season, Park Hyung-jin moved to Fagiano Okayama on a permanent transfer. He played 33 matches and scored 3 goals for the club in 2017. His contract with Fagiano Okayama expired in December 2017.
3.5. Suwon Samsung Bluewings
In December 2017, Park Hyung-jin returned to South Korea, joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings ahead of the 2018 K League 1 season. He made 17 appearances and scored 1 goal in the K League 1 in 2018, and 21 appearances in 2019. During his time with Suwon, he contributed to the team's victory in the 2019 FA Cup.
3.6. Pocheon Citizen FC
In March 2020, Park Hyung-jin was loaned to Pocheon Citizen FC in the K4 League to fulfill his mandatory military service. He played 18 matches and scored 2 goals in 2020, and 18 matches and 2 goals in 2021 for Pocheon. He completed his military service and returned to Suwon Samsung Bluewings in September 2021.
3.7. Bucheon FC 1995
After completing his military service and a brief return to Suwon, Park Hyung-jin joined Bucheon FC 1995 in 2023. He has since made 35 appearances and scored 1 goal for the club.
4. National Team Career
Park Hyung-jin represented South Korea at various youth levels. In 2011, he was selected for the U-20 South Korean national team. The same year, he was also part of the U-23 South Korean national team, which was aiming for qualification for the 2012 London Olympics. He was a regular player for the South Korean team at the 2011 Summer Universiade, where they achieved a commendable 5th place.
5. Playing Position and Style
Park Hyung-jin's primary playing position is typically listed as a defender, specifically a left-back. However, he has also been classified as a midfielder. He is known for his preferred left foot, which allows him to deliver crosses effectively from the left flank. He is also capable of taking set-pieces.
6. Career Achievements
Park Hyung-jin has won several team titles throughout his professional career.
6.1. Club
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima
- J1 League: 2013
- Japanese Super Cup: 2013
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings
- FA Cup: 2019
7. Statistics
Updated to January 1, 2024.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other1 | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J. League Cup | AFC | Other1 | Total | |||||||||
| 2013 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | J1 League | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 26 | 1 | ||
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 11 | 0 | ||||
| 2015 | Tochigi SC | J2 League | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 38 | 0 | ||||
| 2016 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 37 | 1 | |||||
| 2017 | Fagiano Okayama | 33 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 33 | 3 | ||||||
| South Korea | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other1 | Total | |||||||||
| 2018 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | K League 1 | 17 | 1 | - | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2019 | 21 | 0 | - | 5 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |||||
| 2020 | Pocheon Citizen FC | K4 League | 18 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 18 | 2 | |||||
| 2021 | 18 | 2 | - | 1 | 0 | - | - | 19 | 2 | ||||||
| 2023 | Bucheon FC 1995 | K League 2 | 35 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 35 | 1 | |||||
| Career total | 236 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 276 | 11 | |||
1Includes Japanese Super Cup, K League 1 Final B, K League 1 Final A, and FIFA Club World Cup.
7.1. Career Milestones
- First official match appearance: March 13, 2013, AFC Champions League Matchday 2 vs Beijing Guoan (Beijing Workers' Stadium) - Started the match.
- First J.League appearance: March 17, 2013, J1 League Matchday 3 vs Kashima Antlers (Edion Stadium Hiroshima) - Substituted on in the 86th minute for Satoshi Yamagishi.
- First J.League goal: July 6, 2013, J1 League Matchday 14 vs FC Tokyo (Ajinomoto Stadium) - Scored a direct free kick in the 90+4 minute.
8. External links
- [https://int.soccerway.com/players/hyung-jin-park/285750/ Park Hyung-jin at Soccerway]
- [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX04/?player_id=1300089 Park Hyung-jin at J.League Data Site]
- [https://www.v-varen.com/club/32091.html Profile at V-Varen Nagasaki]
- [https://twitter.com/Jjin_4 Park Hyung-jin on Twitter]
- [https://www.instagram.com/p_h_j_13/ Park Hyung-jin on Instagram]