Kim Min-Jae is one of the best defenders in soccer right now. Fans call him “The Monster” because he is strong and fast. He plays for a big team in Germany and makes a lot of money.
In this article, you will know Kim Min-Jae’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Kim Min-Jae’s Biography
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Min-jae |
| Date of Birth | November 15, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Education | Yonsei University (Dropped out) |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2016 |
| Net Worth | $12 Million (Estimated) |
| Salary | €12 Million (Annual) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Ex-wife: Ahn Ji-min) |
| Children | 1 Daughter (Kim Joo-ah) |
| Instagram Profile | @kimminjae3 |
Early Career
Kim Min-jae started his soccer journey in South Korea. He loved sports from a young age because both his parents were athletes.
He played soccer in elementary school and quickly became better than other kids. He went to Suwon Technical High School and played very well there. Famous players like Park Ji-sung also went to this school.
Kim then joined Yonsei University in 2015. Yonsei is a top university, but Kim wanted to play professional soccer right away. He made a big choice to leave school early to chase his dream.
He joined a team called Gyeongju KHNP in 2016. This team played in the third division of Korean soccer. He played 17 games for them and showed everyone his skills. Scouts from big teams noticed him quickly.
In 2017, he moved to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. This was a huge step up for him. Jeonbuk is one of the best teams in Asia. Kim played amazing defense right away.
He won the K League title in his first season and won the Young Player of the Year award. He stayed with Jeonbuk for two seasons and won the league again in 2018.
Professional Career
Kim Min-jae moved to China in 2019 to play for Beijing Guoan. Many fans were surprised, but he played very well there. He faced strong attackers and improved his skills. In 2021, he moved to Turkey to join Fenerbahçe.
This was his first time playing in Europe. The fans in Turkey loved him because he fought hard in every game. He played 31 games in the league and helped the team finish second. Big clubs in Europe started to watch him closely because he was so fast and strong.
Napoli bought him to replace a legendary defender. Kim had a perfect season in Italy. He stopped the best strikers in the world.
Napoli won the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years, and Kim was a big reason for that success. The league named him the Best Defender of the season.
In 2023, Bayern Munich paid a lot of money to sign him. He signed a long contract with the German champions. He continues to play as a starter for Bayern Munich in 2026 and helps them win games in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Wife
Kim Min-jae married a woman named Ahn Ji-min in May 2020. She is not famous like him, but she was very beautiful and supportive.
People said they looked very happy together. They have a daughter named Kim Joo-ah, who was born later in 2020. Kim often talked about how his family gave him strength to play better.
However, sad news came out in October 2024. Kim Min-jae’s agency announced that he and Ahn Ji-min decided to divorce. The agency said they had personality differences but ended things peacefully.
They promised to support each other as friends and take good care of their daughter. Kim Min-jae now focuses on his soccer career and raising his daughter.
Kim Min-Jae’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kim Min-Jae has a net worth of around $12 Million. He built this wealth through high salaries at top clubs like Napoli and Bayern Munich.
Contract
Kim signed a huge contract with Bayern Munich in July 2023. This deal keeps him at the club until June 30, 2028.
The club paid a transfer fee of about €50 million to get him from Napoli. His contract includes big bonuses for winning trophies and playing many games.
Salary
He earns a massive salary at Bayern Munich. His base salary is approximately €12,000,000 per year.
This breaks down to about €230,000 every week. This makes him one of the highest-paid Asian defenders in history.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Annual Salary (Gross) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Bayern Munich | €12,000,000 |
| 2024-2025 | Bayern Munich | €12,000,000 |
| 2023-2024 | Bayern Munich | €12,000,000 |
| 2022-2023 | Napoli | €3,210,000 |
| 2021-2022 | Fenerbahçe | €2,350,000 |
Endorsements
Kim Min-jae attracts major global brands due to his dominance on the field and his massive popularity in South Korea. He actively promotes Nike, which supplies his cleats and sportswear for every match, ensuring he has top-tier gear for his performances.
In 2024, he signed a significant deal with Alpecin, a famous German shampoo brand, becoming their first-ever Korean brand ambassador to launch a major campaign in his home country.
His previous success also led to team-wide sponsorships, such as Dunamu (Upbit) sponsoring Napoli during his time there, proving his strong commercial influence.
These partnerships earn him substantial extra income on top of his club salary and position him as a key marketing icon in both Europe and Asia.
Career Stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 13 | 1 |
| 2025-2026 | Bayern Munich | Champions League | 6 | 1 |
| 2024-2025 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 25 | 1 |
| 2023-2024 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 25 | 1 |
| 2022-2023 | Napoli | Serie A | 35 | 2 |
| 2021-2022 | Fenerbahçe | Süper Lig | 31 | 1 |
| 2019-2021 | Beijing Guoan | CSL | 59 | 0 |
| 2017-2018 | Jeonbuk Hyundai | K League 1 | 60 | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Kim Min-jae’s ex-wife?
His ex-wife is Ahn Ji-min. They married and she supported him during his time in Europe. They announced their divorce in October 2024 due to personality differences.
2. How much does Kim Min-jae earn?
He earns about €12 million per year at Bayern Munich. This equals roughly €230,000 per week. He is currently one of the highest-paid Asian soccer players in the world.
3. Which team does Kim Min-jae play?
Kim plays for FC Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga. He joined the club and has a contract that lasts until the summer.
4. How tall is Kim Min-jae?
He stands 1.90 meters tall, which is about 6 feet 3 inches. His height helps him win headers and stop opposing attackers from scoring goals during matches.
5. Did Kim Min-jae win the league with Napoli?
Yes, he won the Serie A title with Napoli in the 2022-2023 season. He played a key role in their defense and won the Best Defender award that year.
