South Korean full-back Seol Young-woo has gone from K-League fan favourite to UEFA Champions League participant in just two years.
This article covers his estimated net worth, Red Star Belgrade contract, career earnings, and everything else you need to know.
Seol Young-woo’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Seol Young-woo (설영우) |
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Place of Birth | Ulsan, South Korea |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Full-back (Right / Left) |
| Current Club | Red Star Belgrade |
| Jersey Number | 66 |
| Turned Professional | January 2020 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Relationship Status | Private |
Early Life and Career
Seol Young-woo was born on December 5, 1998, in Ulsan, South Korea — a port city with a proud footballing culture centred around Ulsan Hyundai FC.
Growing up just minutes from the club’s facilities, football was a natural path for him from an early age.
He attended Okdong Elementary School before moving through Hyundai Middle School and Hyundai High School, both connected to the club’s academy structure.
During his teenage years, he played primarily as a winger, showcasing pace and an eye for goal rather than the defensive discipline that would later define him.
In his third year of high school, he was named the top scorer in the K-League Junior Electric League.
That kind of individual output at youth level drew attention from national age-group selectors. He went on to represent South Korea at the U17 level in 2014 and U20 level in 2016.
Rather than entering professional football immediately after high school, he attended the University of Ulsan, where he received football education before making the jump to the senior team in 2020.
He was selected by national team coach Kim Hak-beom for the 2019 Asian University Football Tournament, where he was recognised as one of Korea’s top wing resources.
His decision to stay in university rather than turn professional early reflected a measured, long-term approach to his development.
Professional Career
Seol officially joined the Ulsan Hyundai first team in January 2020, dropping out of university in his third year to sign professionally. His breakthrough came quickly.
He made a surprise start in the East Coast Derby against Pohang Steelers in October 2020, delivered a flawless performance, and earned the K-League Young Player (Rookie of the Year) award in his debut season.
Over the next four seasons, he became one of the most reliable full-backs in the K-League. He played both left and right full-back positions and accumulated 120 K-League 1 appearances for Ulsan, contributing five goals and 11 assists across his time there.
He was part of the Ulsan squads that won back-to-back K-League 1 titles in 2022 and 2023.
His performances for Ulsan earned him a call-up to the senior South Korea national team. He featured at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, where he covered 15.54 km in the quarter-final against Australia — one of the tournament’s top distance records — and was selected for the team of the matchday.
In June 2024, Ulsan HD FC confirmed his transfer to FK Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) on a three-year contract with an option to extend for a further year. He went straight into the UEFA Champions League in his first season in Europe.
He provided three assists in eight league phase matches during his debut Champions League campaign.
In the 2025/26 season, Red Star entered the UEFA Europa League, where he continued to be a key starter.
As of early 2026, reports emerged that Eintracht Frankfurt had prepared a formal offer to sign him, with the estimated transfer fee around €5 million, expected to be finalised after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Seol Young-woo’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Seol Young-woo’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through his professional contracts in South Korea and Serbia, along with potential endorsement income. His salary has grown substantially since his move to Europe, and a reported transfer to the Bundesliga this summer would push his earnings considerably higher.
Contract
Seol signed a three-year contract with Red Star Belgrade when he joined in July 2024, with an option included for a one-year extension.
His contract is set to expire on June 30, 2027. However, with Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly closing in on a deal worth around €5 million, the expectation is that his move will be finalised after the 2026 World Cup concludes.
Salary
Exact salary figures for Serbian SuperLiga players are not publicly disclosed by clubs. Based on publicly available market value data from Transfermarkt’s player profile for Seol Young-woo, his current market value sits between €4.5 million and €5 million — one of the higher valuations for players in the Serbian SuperLiga.
For context, top earners at Red Star Belgrade typically earn in the range of €400,000 to €700,000 per year.
Based on his status as a first-choice starter and Champions League participant, a salary of approximately €350,000–€500,000 per year is a reasonable estimate.
His K-League salary at Ulsan HD would have been significantly lower, likely in the range of €80,000–€120,000 per year based on typical K-League 1 senior player benchmarks.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ulsan HD FC | ~€80,000 |
| 2021 | Ulsan HD FC | ~€90,000 |
| 2022 | Ulsan HD FC | ~€100,000 |
| 2023 | Ulsan HD FC | ~€120,000 |
| 2024 (first half) | Ulsan HD FC | ~€60,000 (half year) |
| 2024–25 | Red Star Belgrade | ~€350,000–€450,000 |
| 2025–26 | Red Star Belgrade | ~€400,000–€500,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ulsan HD FC | K-League 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Ulsan HD FC | K-League 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Ulsan HD FC | K-League 1 | 34 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | Ulsan HD FC | K-League 1 | 32 | 3 | 4 |
| 2024 (Jan–Jun) | Ulsan HD FC | K-League 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Red Star Belgrade | SuperLiga / UCL | 30 | 6 | 5 |
| 2025–26 | Red Star Belgrade | SuperLiga / UEL | 26+ | 1 | 5 |
| International | South Korea | Various | 12+ | 0 | 1 |
FAQs
What is Seol Young-woo’s net worth?
Seol Young-woo’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. He earned this through professional contracts at Ulsan HD in South Korea and his current deal at Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
How much does Seol Young-woo earn per year?
Belgrade’s wage structure and his market value, he likely earns between €350,000 and €500,000 per year — a significant step up from his K-League wages.
Which club does Seol Young-woo play?
He currently plays for Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian SuperLiga. He joined the club in July 2024 on a three-year contract. Reports from early 2026 suggest Eintracht Frankfurt is pursuing him for a potential Bundesliga move.
What transfer fee did Red Star Belgrade pay for Seol Young-woo?
Red Star Belgrade paid Ulsan HD FC a transfer fee of approximately €1.2–1.5 million to sign Seol Young-woo in July 2024. His current market value has since risen to around €4.5–5 million.
Has Seol Young-woo played in the UEFA Champions League?
Yes. He played in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League with Red Star Belgrade, providing three assists across eight league phase matches. In 2025–26, he featured in the UEFA Europa League.
