Kim Min-Jae is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Napoli in Serie A. The 26-year-old’s net worth is $8 million as of 2024. Here we look closely at Kim Min-Jae’s net worth, salary, earnings, stats, age, height, wife, and more.
About Kim Min-Jae
Kim Min-Jae was born on 15 November 1996 in Tongyeong, South Korea. In his youth, Kim played college football for Yonsei University from 2015-2016.
The defender made his senior debut for Gyeongju KHNP in 2016. After that, he played from 2017-2018 for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Kim improved himself into a solid center-back. He played 52 games for the club and scored 3 goals.
In 2019, Kim joined Beijing Guoan and played for two years for the club. He played 31 games before a move to the Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce.
The Turkish side bought the defender for a €3m transfer fee. He played 31 games for Fenerbahce in the 2021-2022 season. Kim Min-Jae’s solid performance earned him a move to the Italian giants Napoli.
The Serie A side bought the center-back for a reported €18.05 million transfer fee in 2022. Kim signed a 3-year contract with Napoli, which will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
So far, the 26-year-old Korean defender has been a key player for Napoli’s success in the 2022-23 season. He was awarded the Serie A Player of the Month in September 2022.
Kim Min-Jae earned his international debut for South Korea in 2017. He missed out on the 2018 World Cup due to injury. The 26-year-old has 44 caps for South Korea and is named for the FIFA World Cup 2022 squad.
Kim Min-Jae’s Net Worth Details
Kim Min-Jae’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million as of 2025. His earning sources include football contracts, salary, endorsement, and sponsorship bonuses.
Kim has 3 years left on his contract with Napoli, which will expire on 30 June 2025. He has a €9.63 million gross remaining on his contract.
Kim Min-Jae earns a gross salary of €3,210,000 per season at Napoli. His weekly salary is €61,731.
Napoli bought the defender for a reported transfer fee of €18.03 million in 2022. Kim’s current transfer market value is €35.00m.
Min-Jae’s Salary by Season
| Season | Club | Gross Salary by Season |
| 2024-25 | Napoli | €3.21 million |
| 2023-24 | Napoli | €3.21 million |
| 2022-23 | Napoli | €3.21 million |
| 2021-22 | Fenerbahce | €2.35 million |
Endorsement
Kim Min-Jae is a Nike-endorsed player. He will wear the Nike Phantom VNM Elite soccer cleats for the 2022-23 season.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kim Min-Jae |
| Current Club | Napoli |
| Position | Center-back |
| Shirt No. | 3 |
| Date of Birth | 15 November 1996 |
| Age | 26 |
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Birthplace | Tongyeong, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Net Worth | $8 million |
| Salary | €61,731 weekly |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Choi Yoo-Ra |
| Outfitter | Nike |
| kiminjae3 |
Kim Min-Jae’s Wife
The Napoli star defender Kim Min-Jae’s lovely wife is Choi Yoo-Ra. He married his long-term sweetheart, and has been together happily.
The exact date of the marriage is unknown. The couple is blessed with a daughter.
Career Stats
Serie A: Napoli
| Season | Match | Goal | Assist |
| 2022-23 | 14 (as of 12 Nov. 2022) | 2 | 0 |
International Career: South Korea
| Year | Match | Goal |
| 2017-Present | 44 (as of Oct. 2022) | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Kim Min-jae and which football club does he currently play for?
Kim Min-jae is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the South Korean national team. Born on November 15, 1996, in Tongyeong, South Korea, he joined Bayern in July 2023 after an impressive season with Napoli where he won the Serie A title.
2. What significant achievements has Kim Min-jae accomplished in his football career?
Kim Min-jae has won multiple prestigious titles, including two K League 1 championships with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, a Serie A title with Napoli in the 2022-23 season, and most recently the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2024-25. He made history as the first Korean player to win titles in two of Europe’s five major leagues.
3. Why is Kim Min-jae nicknamed “the Monster” and what are his key strengths as a defender?
Kim Min-jae earned the nickname “the Monster” during his time at Napoli due to his uncompromising tackling style and physical presence. Standing at 6’3″ (1.91m), he combines defensive robustness with exceptional positional awareness and strong passing abilities. In the 2022-23 season, no outfield player in Europe’s top five leagues made more forward passes than Kim (1,057).
4. What health issues has Kim Min-jae faced during his time at Bayern Munich?
Kim Min-jae has been struggling with Achilles tendinitis since early in the 2024-25 season, playing through significant pain for over half the season. The injury has affected his performance, leading to criticism after key matches including Bayern’s Champions League exit. In February 2025, he requested time away from the starting lineup to allow his tendon to fully heal.
5. How did Kim Min-jae’s childhood and early career shape his path to becoming a professional footballer?
Kim Min-jae grew up in humble circumstances in the South Korean port city of Tongyeong, where his parents ran a small sushi restaurant. His father once drove him overnight by truck across the country for a national team tryout. Before reaching Europe’s top clubs, Kim played for semi-professional Gyeongju KHNP, followed by successful stints at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Beijing Guoan, and Fenerbahçe.
