Kim Jin-gyu is one of South Korea’s most dependable midfielders, and his inclusion in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad has put his name on the global radar.
This article covers everything you need to know about his net worth, contract, earnings, and career.
Kim Jin-gyu’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Jin-gyu (김진규) |
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1997 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Current Club | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Shirt Number | 10 |
| Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Contract Expires | December 31, 2026 |
| Market Value | €1.20 million (Transfermarkt) |
| Outfitter | Nike |
| Estimated Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Player Agent | C2Global |
Early Life and Career
Kim Jin-gyu was born on February 24, 1997, in Pohang, a city in North Gyeongsang Province known for its strong footballing culture and home to the storied Pohang Steelers.
He began his football journey at the Pohang Steelers U12 academy, where he stayed from 2003 to 2008 before moving to Busan IPark’s youth setup.
Kim spent his formative years at Busan IPark, progressing through the club’s U15 (2009–2011) and U18 (2012–2014) academies.
His development there shaped the technical, box-to-box midfielder he would become. Busan’s coaching staff quickly recognized his ability to read the game in tight spaces and link midfield play with the attack.
He was called into South Korea’s underage international setups early, representing the U-23 side at a critical stage of his development.
His upbringing in South Korea’s football pyramid — one of Asia’s most competitive — gave him exposure to high-tempo football from a young age, setting the foundation for what would be a productive senior career.
Professional Career
Kim Jin-gyu made his senior debut for Busan IPark in the K League 1 in 2015 at just 18 years old.
He spent the bulk of his early career with Busan across both the K League 1 and K League 2, accumulating 144 appearances and 21 goals for the club across all competitions before departing in 2022.
In 2020, he helped Busan earn promotion back to the top division, and in January 2020, he was selected for the South Korea U-23 team at the AFC U23 Championship, where the team won the tournament to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
In July 2021, Kim was named in the final squad for the Olympics, making three appearances in South Korea’s run to the quarter-finals.
On 17 March 2022, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors announced his signing, and he made his debut for the club on 19 March 2022 in a draw against Gimcheon Sangmu.
After completing his mandatory military service with Gimcheon Sangmu in the 2023–24 period, Kim returned to Jeonbuk and enjoyed his best season yet.
In 2025, Kim Jin-gyu played 35 matches for Jeonbuk, producing five goals and six assists — reaching double digits in goal contributions in the top division for the first time.
With his ability to move freely between the middle third and final third, he brought energy to Jeonbuk’s attack while displaying strong form for both club and national team. He earned a place in the K League 1 Best XI as a midfielder.
The biggest milestone of his career arrived in 2026, when Kim Jin-gyu was included in Hong Myung-bo’s final 26-man South Korea squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico — one of only six domestic-based K League players to make the cut.
Kim Jin-gyu’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Jin-gyu’s has an estimated net worth of $600,000.
He built this wealth primarily through his professional football contracts in the K League across Busan IPark, Gimcheon Sangmu, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. His selection for the 2026 World Cup represents both a career peak and a financial milestone, as international tournament bonuses and increased visibility typically translate into improved commercial value for domestic-based players.
Contract
Kim Jin-gyu has been with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors since March 2022. His current contract runs until December 31, 2026, with his last extension signed on November 30, 2024.
Jeonbuk is historically one of the richest and most successful clubs in South Korean football, which means contracts there carry above-average K League remuneration.
Given his World Cup selection and K League Best XI status in 2025, Kim is well positioned to secure either a contract extension with Jeonbuk or attract interest from clubs abroad when his deal expires at the end of 2026.
Salary
K League player salaries are not publicly disclosed in official filings, but industry estimates based on market value and club standing provide a reasonable guide.
Kim’s current market value is listed at €1.20 million on Transfermarkt, placing him among the mid-to-upper tier of K League 1 earners.
For a player of his profile — Best XI selection, national team regular, World Cup squad member — an annual salary in the range of approximately $250,000–$350,000 per year is a realistic industry estimate.
His earnings from club football form the backbone of his net worth, supplemented by national team appearance bonuses through the Korea Football Association.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Division | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Busan IPark | K League 1 | Senior debut season |
| 2016–2019 | Busan IPark | K League 2 | Regular starter |
| 2020–2021 | Busan IPark | K League 1/2 | Promotion campaigns |
| 2022 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | Top-flight title contender |
| 2023–2024 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 2/1 | Mandatory military service |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | Best XI, career peak season |
| 2026 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | World Cup squad member |
Endorsements
Kim Jin-gyu wears Nike boots as his official outfitter, confirmed through his Transfermarkt profile which lists Nike as his current kit sponsor.
Like most K League players without European club exposure, he does not yet carry major global endorsement deals. His representation by agent firm C2Global suggests a professional commercial management structure is in place.
His 2026 World Cup participation opens the door to increased brand visibility in South Korea, where national team players see a significant spike in commercial interest during and after major tournaments.
Should South Korea advance in the group stage, domestic endorsement inquiries for squad members typically increase.
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Busan IPark | K League 1 | 15 | 1 | — |
| 2016–2017 | Busan IPark | K League 2 | 19 | 1 | — |
| 2018 | Busan IPark | K League 2 | 37 | 9 | — |
| 2019 | Busan IPark | K League 2 | 35 | 4 | — |
| 2020 | Busan IPark | K League 1 | 9 | 2 | — |
| 2021 | Busan IPark | K League 2 | 27 | 4 | — |
| 2022 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 40 | 4 | — |
| 2023 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 2 | 32 | 6 | — |
| 2024 | Gimcheon Sangmu / Jeonbuk | K League 1 | 31 | 4 | — |
| 2025 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 44 | 5 | 6 |
| 2026* | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League 1 | 16 | 1 | — |
| Career Total | 307 | 41 | — |
FAQs
What is Kim Jin-gyu’s net worth?
Kim Jin-gyu’s estimated net worth is $600,000. He earned this through his professional football contracts in the K League, primarily with Busan IPark and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Which club does Kim Jin-gyu play?
He plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the K League 1. His contract with the club runs until December 31, 2026, and was last extended in November 2024.
Is Kim Jin-gyu in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad?
Yes. Kim Jin-gyu was selected in South Korea’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — one of six K League-based players to make the cut.
What position does Kim Jin-gyu play?
He plays as a central midfielder. His ability to operate between the middle third and final third makes him a box-to-box presence capable of both defensive duties and attacking contribution.
What awards has Kim Jin-gyu won?
His most notable individual honor is his 2025 K League 1 Best XI selection after producing five goals and six assists for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their title-winning campaign. He also won the AFC U23 Championship with South Korea in 2020.
