South Korean defender Cho Yu-min has quietly built a respectable professional career across the K League, and now the UAE Pro League.
This article breaks down his net worth, contract details, salary history, and career achievements.
Cho Yu-min’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cho Yu-min (조유민) |
| Date of Birth | November 17, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 75–79 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back / Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Sharjah FC (UAE Pro League) |
| Turned Professional | 2018 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million |
| Agent | SQUARE SPORTS GROUP |
Early Life and Career
Cho Yu-min was born on November 17, 1996, in Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea. He discovered football in elementary school, first playing at Daegu Sinheung Elementary School.
His early development took him through Hyeopseong Middle School and Daeseo Middle School, before he enrolled at Jeonju Yeongsaeng High School — affiliated with the famous Transfermarkt-listed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors youth setup.
He found it difficult to break into a regular starting role there and made a move to Cheongju Daeseong High School, where he finally established himself as a reliable centre-back and quickly became a key player.
After high school, he joined Chung-Ang University, where he played from 2015 to 2017, continuing his development at the collegiate level.
His time at university also gave him his first international exposure. He represented South Korea at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei before earning a spot in the South Korea U23 squad for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia — a tournament that would prove pivotal in his career.
Professional Career
Cho Yu-min turned professional in January 2018 when he joined Suwon FC in the K League 2. He quickly became a dependable starter, contributing not just defensively but also chipping in with goals from set pieces.
His performances helped Suwon earn promotion to the K League 1 in 2020 — a major achievement for the club.
In January 2022, he made a move to Daejeon Hana Citizen for a transfer fee of €600,000, where he took on the captain’s armband in his first season.
He led Daejeon to promotion to the K League 1, becoming the first player from the club to appear in a FIFA World Cup match — coming on as a substitute during South Korea’s group stage clash against Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In February 2024, Cho made his first move abroad, joining Sharjah FC in the UAE Pro League for a transfer fee of €1 million.
He was brought in as a starting centre-back under coach Cosmin Olăroiu and immediately became a key part of the defence. He has made 18 senior international appearances for South Korea as of 2026.
His 2018 Asian Games gold medal with the South Korea U23 team exempted him from South Korea’s mandatory military service — a significant benefit that allowed him to continue his football career without interruption.
Wife
Cho Yu-min married Park So-yeon — widely known as Soyeon, the former lead vocalist of the K-pop group T-ARA — on November 1, 2022.
The couple had been dating for three years before they announced their engagement in January 2022.
The wedding ceremony was initially planned for a formal event in November 2022, but the couple chose to register their marriage quietly so that Cho could focus on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Since Cho’s transfer to Sharjah FC in 2024, both Cho and Soyeon have been living in Dubai, UAE.
Soyeon has publicly shared glimpses of their life in Dubai, including during the Ramadan period in early 2025. No children have been publicly confirmed as of 2026.
Cho Yu-min’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Cho Yu-min’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this wealth primarily through professional football contracts in South Korea’s K League and, more recently, through his move to the UAE Pro League — where player salaries are notably higher than in the Korean domestic league.
Contract
Cho Yu-min joined Sharjah FC on February 14, 2024, and his current contract runs until June 30, 2026. The transfer fee paid to Daejeon Hana Citizen was €1 million.
Sharjah reportedly promised a competitive salary to secure his signature, with the club’s coach specifically targeting Korean centre-backs to strengthen their defence.
His market value, according to Transfermarkt, currently stands at €1.7 million. With his contract expiring in June 2026, a renewal or new transfer is expected during the summer 2026 window.
Salary
Exact salary figures for Cho Yu-min have not been publicly disclosed by Sharjah FC.
However, based on typical UAE Pro League salary ranges for foreign players at his valuation level, his annual salary at Sharjah FC is estimated at approximately $400,000–$500,000 per year.
This represents a significant increase from his K League earnings with Daejeon Hana Citizen.
In the K League — where even top earners rarely exceed $300,000 per year — his salary as a starter and former captain would have been in the range of $120,000–$200,000 annually.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Suwon FC | K League 2 | ~$50,000 |
| 2019 | Suwon FC | K League 2 | ~$70,000 |
| 2020 | Suwon FC | K League 1 | ~$90,000 |
| 2021 | Suwon FC | K League 1 | ~$110,000 |
| 2022 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | K League 2 | ~$130,000 |
| 2023 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | K League 1 | ~$180,000 |
| 2024 | Sharjah FC | UAE Pro League | ~$450,000 |
| 2025 | Sharjah FC | UAE Pro League | ~$450,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Suwon FC | K League 2 | 26 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | Suwon FC | K League 2 | 31 | 2 | — |
| 2020 | Suwon FC | K League 1 | 23 | 2 | — |
| 2021 | Suwon FC | K League 1 | 31 | 4 | — |
| 2022 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | K League 2 | 33 | 6 | — |
| 2023 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | K League 1 | 21 | 2 | — |
| 2023–24 | Sharjah FC | UAE Pro League | 13 | 2 | — |
| 2024–25 | Sharjah FC | UAE Pro League | 19 | 0 | — |
| 2025–26 | Sharjah FC | UAE Pro League | 15* | 0 | — |
| Total | 212+ | 18+ |
FAQs
What is Cho Yu-min’s net worth?
Cho Yu-min’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million, built through his professional career in South Korea’s K League and his current contract with Sharjah FC in the UAE Pro League.
What club does Cho Yu-min currently play for?
He plays for Sharjah FC in the UAE Pro League. He joined the club in February 2024 on a transfer fee of €1 million, signing a contract that runs until June 2026.
Did Cho Yu-min play at the FIFA World Cup?
Yes. He was part of South Korea’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and appeared as a substitute in their group stage match against Portugal, becoming Daejeon Hana Citizen’s first-ever World Cup player.
How did Cho Yu-min avoid South Korea’s mandatory military service?
He won a gold medal with South Korea’s U23 team at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Under South Korean law, Asian Games gold medalists in team sports receive an exemption from mandatory military service.
What position does Cho Yu-min play?
He plays primarily as a centre-back but can also operate as a defensive midfielder or right-back, giving his coaches significant tactical flexibility across different formations.
