Few South Korean defenders have had a career as wide-ranging as Kim Jin-su.
From Bundesliga pitches in Germany to the Saudi Pro League, and now back home at FC Seoul, he has earned steadily across more than a decade at the professional level.
This article covers Kim Jin-su’s net worth, his salary, contract history, career earnings by year, and the full story behind his football journey.
Kim Jin-su’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Jin-su (김진수) |
| Date of Birth | June 13, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Birthplace | Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea |
| Height | 177 cm (5’10”) |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Current Club | FC Seoul (K League 1) |
| Turned Professional | 2012 (Albirex Niigata) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million USD |
| Annual Salary | Approx. $500,000–$700,000 USD |
Early Life and Career
Kim Jin-su was born on June 13, 1992, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
Growing up in Jeonju — a city with a proud football tradition — Kim developed his technical ability from a young age and earned his way through the South Korean youth system.
He attended Kyung Hee University, which is well known for producing professional footballers in South Korea.
At the youth international level, Kim represented South Korea at two prestigious FIFA tournaments before ever playing a senior professional league match.
He played in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, signaling early that he was one of the brightest defensive prospects in Korean football.
His biggest early honor came at the 2014 Asian Games, hosted in South Korea. Kim was part of the South Korean U-23 squad that won the gold medal, defeating North Korea 1–0 in the final.
That gold medal victory carried a life-changing benefit in South Korean society: the entire squad received an exemption from mandatory military service, allowing Kim to continue his professional career in Europe without interruption — a privilege that gave his career enormous momentum at just 22 years old.
Professional Career
Kim Jin-su turned professional when Albirex Niigata of Japan’s J1 League signed him on January 13, 2012.
He made his competitive debut against Kawasaki Frontale on March 10, 2012, playing the full 90 minutes.
Over three seasons at Albirex Niigata, he made 78 total appearances and scored 3 goals, establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in J1 League.
His strong performances in Japan earned him a move to Europe. TSG Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga announced his signing on Kim’s birthday — June 13, 2014.
As tracked on Transfermarkt, the transfer fee was reported at €1.3 million, which reflected real market confidence in him at the time.
He made 36 total appearances for Hoffenheim over three seasons, including 34 Bundesliga games, competing at one of Europe’s top leagues.
In 2017, Kim returned to South Korea and signed with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he enjoyed the most trophy-laden period of his career.
He won the K League 1 championship five times (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) and the Korean FA Cup twice (2020, 2022) with Jeonbuk.
He earned the K League 1 Best XI award in both 2017 and 2022, recognition that placed him among the elite defenders in Korean domestic football.
In 2020, Kim signed for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, though his time there was limited to loan spells back at Jeonbuk. He eventually returned to Jeonbuk permanently before joining FC Seoul ahead of the 2025 K League 1 season.
At the international level, Kim was a key part of the South Korean squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing full matches in the group stage and helping Korea reach the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years.
Kim Jin-su’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Jin-su’s has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
He built this wealth through over 14 years of professional contracts spanning Japan’s J1 League, Germany’s Bundesliga, the Saudi Pro League, and multiple seasons in South Korea’s K League 1, complemented by international tournament bonuses from two FIFA World Cups and two EAFF Championship titles.
Contract
Kim Jin-su joined FC Seoul ahead of the 2025 K League 1 season, transferring from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. His current contract at FC Seoul keeps him at the club through the 2026 season.
According to Transfermarkt, his current market value stands at €350,000, which reflects his stage of career as a veteran left-back with a rich trophy cabinet rather than peak earning power.
FootballTransfers estimates his transfer value between €0.2M and €0.3M as of mid-2025.
Salary
According to salary data available on Capology, Kim Jin-su’s estimated total professional career earnings (excluding bonuses) stand at approximately $797,896 from his European wages alone.
His K League 1 salary at FC Seoul is estimated at approximately $500,000–$700,000 USD annually, which is consistent with what established Korean internationals earn in the top domestic league.
His highest-earning period was during his Bundesliga years at Hoffenheim, where European-level wages significantly exceeded what was on offer in the Korean domestic game.
Our broader breakdown of South Korean football player salaries shows how Kim’s wages compare to the current generation of Korean stars.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | ~$120,000 |
| 2013 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | ~$150,000 |
| 2014 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | ~$150,000 |
| 2014–15 | TSG Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | ~$600,000 |
| 2015–16 | TSG Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | ~$600,000 |
| 2016–17 | TSG Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | ~$500,000 |
| 2017 | Jeonbuk Motors | K League 1 | ~$300,000 |
| 2018 | Jeonbuk Motors | K League 1 | ~$350,000 |
| 2019 | Jeonbuk Motors | K League 1 | ~$400,000 |
| 2020 | Jeonbuk Motors / Al-Nassr | K League 1 / Saudi Pro | ~$500,000 |
| 2021 | Al-Nassr / Jeonbuk (loan) | Saudi Pro / K League 1 | ~$500,000 |
| 2022 | Jeonbuk (loan) | K League 1 | ~$450,000 |
| 2023 | Jeonbuk Motors | K League 1 | ~$400,000 |
| 2024 | Jeonbuk Motors | K League 1 | ~$450,000 |
| 2025 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$600,000 |
Endorsements
Kim Jin-su holds a personal boot sponsorship deal with PUMA, the German sportswear brand.
His name appears on PUMA’s official sponsor list alongside other Korean professionals, confirming an active kit and footwear supply arrangement.
PUMA has steadily expanded its presence in Korean football, partnering with several national team players and K League clubs in recent seasons.
Beyond PUMA, no other verified commercial brand deals or ambassador contracts for Kim Jin-su have been publicly confirmed as of 2026.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata | 2012 | J1 League | 23 | 1 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2013 | J1 League | 31 | 0 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2014 | J1 League | 12 | 0 |
| Albirex Total | 66 | 1 | ||
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2014–15 | Bundesliga | 19 | 0 |
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2015–16 | Bundesliga | 15 | 0 |
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2016–17 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 |
| Hoffenheim Total | 34 | 0 | ||
| Jeonbuk Motors | 2017 | K League 1 | 29 | 4 |
| Jeonbuk Motors | 2018 | K League 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Jeonbuk Motors | 2019 | K League 1 | 27 | 2 |
| Jeonbuk Motors | 2020 | K League 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Jeonbuk (Permanent) Total | 78 | 7 | ||
| Al-Nassr | 2019–21 | Saudi Pro League | 7 | 0 |
| Jeonbuk (loan) | 2021–23 | K League 1 | 53 | 2 |
| Jeonbuk (Permanent Return) | 2023–24 | K League 1 | 29 | 0 |
| FC Seoul | 2025 | K League 1 | 37 | 2 |
| FC Seoul | 2026 | K League 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Career Total | 370 | 16 |
FAQs
What is Kim Jin-su’s net worth?
Kim Jin-su’s estimated net worth is $3 million USD. He accumulated this wealth through contracts at Albirex Niigata, TSG Hoffenheim, Al-Nassr, Jeonbuk Motors, and FC Seoul over 14 professional years.
Which club does Kim Jin-su play?
He plays for FC Seoul in the K League 1. He joined Seoul ahead of the 2025 season after leaving Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he spent the majority of his career.
How many trophies has Kim Jin-su won?
He won the K League 1 five times and the Korean FA Cup twice with Jeonbuk Motors, plus the 2014 Asian Games gold medal and two EAFF E-1 Championship titles with South Korea.
Did Kim Jin-su play in the Bundesliga?
Yes, he played 34 Bundesliga matches for TSG Hoffenheim between 2014 and 2016. Hoffenheim signed him for a reported €1.3 million transfer fee from Albirex Niigata in 2014.
How many career appearances does Kim Jin-su have?
Kim Jin-su has made 370 total career appearances and scored 16 goals across all competitions as of February 2026, covering four countries and four leagues over more than 14 professional seasons.
