Kim Ju-sung is one of South Korea’s most promising young defenders, known for his commanding presence at center-back and his steady rise through Asian football.
This article covers Kim Ju-sung’s net worth, his salary, contract details with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, career earnings, and everything fans want to know about his professional journey.
Kim Ju-sung’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Ju-sung (김주성) |
| Date of Birth | December 12, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Place of Birth | Cheongju, Chungbuk, South Korea |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 76 kg (167 lbs) |
| Position | Centre-Back (Defender) |
| Current Club | Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1 League, Japan) |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Jersey Number | 37 |
| Turned Professional | 2019 (FC Seoul) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000–$600,000 |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
Early Life & Career
Kim Ju-sung was born on December 12, 2000, in Cheongju, Chungbuk, a city in central South Korea.
Growing up, he developed his footballing skills through South Korea’s well-structured youth academies. His natural athleticism and left-footed ability at center-back set him apart from a young age.
Kim’s talent earned him a spot in the South Korea under-20 national team, and he was part of the squad that represented the country at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
That tournament was a landmark moment — South Korea reached the final and finished as runners-up, giving young players like Kim Ju-sung significant exposure at an early point in their careers.
He signed his first professional contract with FC Seoul in 2019, making his K League 1 debut on July 13, 2019.
The transition from youth football to South Korea’s top division came quickly, and Kim adjusted well, steadily building appearances and confidence in the league.
Professional Career
Kim Ju-sung’s professional career began at FC Seoul, one of South Korea’s most decorated clubs, where he spent the bulk of his formative years.
He made 10 appearances in his debut K League 1 season in 2019 and continued to grow in 2020 with 13 league appearances.
In 2021, he was called up for mandatory military service through the Gimcheon Sangmu draft team, as required of all South Korean male citizens.
During that period, he helped Gimcheon Sangmu win the K League 2 title in 2021, which stands as one of the honors in his career résumé.
After completing his military obligation, Kim returned to FC Seoul and became a regular starter.
His breakthrough season came in 2023, when he played all 38 K League 1 matches and scored 2 goals — establishing himself as one of the league’s reliable defenders.
He also earned his first South Korea senior national team caps in 2022, going on to represent the country at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Kim’s strong performances at FC Seoul attracted international interest.
In July 2025, he made a high-profile transfer to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan’s J1 League for a reported fee of €1.1 million, as confirmed by official club sources.
The move marked his first career step outside South Korea. At Hiroshima, he has continued to develop, scoring 1 goal in his debut partial season and contributing to the club’s defensive setup in the 2026 J1 League campaign.
According to his international career record on Wikipedia, Kim Ju-sung has made 8 appearances for the South Korean senior national team, including a goal scored against China in the 2025 EAFF Championship.
Kim Ju-sung’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Ju-sung’s has an estimated net worth of $500,000.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts in South Korea’s K League 1 and Japan’s J1 League, combined with his growing profile as a South Korean national team player.
Contract
Kim Ju-sung moved to Sanfrecce Hiroshima from FC Seoul on July 31, 2025, in a permanent transfer with a reported fee of €1.1 million (~$1.2 million USD), according to transfer tracking site Flashscore.
His contract details with Hiroshima have not been fully published, but based on J1 League salary norms for foreign defenders and his market value of approximately €750,000 as tracked by Transfermarkt, his current deal represents a significant step up from his K League earnings.
His previous FC Seoul contract ran through December 31, 2025, with C2Global Co. Ltd. as his player agent.
Salary
Salary figures for K League and J1 League players are rarely disclosed publicly.
Based on comparable market data from Transfermarkt and Capology benchmarks for players at Kim’s market value tier (€750,000), K League 1 senior defenders at FC Seoul typically earn in the range of $100,000–$200,000 per year.
At Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 League — a league that generally pays foreign recruits more competitively — his annual salary is estimated to be higher, likely in the $200,000–$300,000 range.
These are industry estimates aligned with his market value and transfer fee, as no official salary has been confirmed.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$30,000–$50,000 |
| 2020 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$50,000–$80,000 |
| 2021 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 2 | Military service (minimal pay) |
| 2022 | Gimcheon Sangmu / FC Seoul | K League 1/2 | ~$60,000–$90,000 |
| 2023 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$120,000–$160,000 |
| 2024 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$150,000–$200,000 |
| 2025 | FC Seoul / Sanfrecce Hiroshima | K League 1 / J1 | ~$200,000–$280,000 |
| 2026 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | J1 League | ~$200,000–$300,000 |
Endorsements
Kim Ju-sung holding major commercial endorsement deals.
His kit supplier is Mizuno through his club contract with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but this is a club-level arrangement rather than a personal sponsorship deal.
As his profile grows following his move to Japan and continued national team involvement, personal endorsement opportunities are likely to increase in the coming years.
His agent, C2Global Co. Ltd., manages his commercial representation alongside club matters.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Seoul | 2019 | K League 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| FC Seoul | 2020 | K League 1 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| FC Seoul | 2022 | K League 1 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| FC Seoul | 2023 | K League 1 | 38 | 2 | 38 | 2 |
| FC Seoul | 2024 | K League 1 | 25 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| FC Seoul | 2025 | K League 1 | 23 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| FC Seoul Total | 114 | 2 | 123 | 2 | ||
| Gimcheon Sangmu | 2021 | K League 2 | 8 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Gimcheon Sangmu | 2022 | K League 1 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Gimcheon Total | 15 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2025 | J1 League | 8 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2026 | J1 League | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Hiroshima Total | 15 | 1 | 21 | 1 | ||
| Career Total | 144 | 3 | 165 | 3 |
International Career
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 1 |
FAQs
What is Kim Ju-sung’s net worth?
Kim Ju-sung has an estimated net worth of $500,000. He earned this through professional contracts at FC Seoul and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, plus his national team career.
How much does Kim Ju-sung earn per year?
But based on his market value of €750,000 and his J1 League contract at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, his estimated annual salary is between $200,000 and $300,000.
Which club does Kim Ju-sung play?
He plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan’s J1 League, having joined the club in July 2025 from FC Seoul in a transfer worth €1.1 million.
Has Kim Ju-sung played for the South Korea national team?
Yes. He has earned 8 senior caps for South Korea as of March 2026, including appearances at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2025 EAFF Championship, where he scored his first international goal against China.
What is Kim Ju-sung’s market value?
His current market value is approximately €750,000 according to Transfermarkt, reflecting his profile as a young, left-footed center-back with J1 League and K League experience.
