Kim Dong-jin


Kim Dong-jin is a South Korean football coach and a former professional footballer who played as a left full-back or wing-back. He is currently a coach of the South Korea national football team.
𝕏 kdj129

Club career

Kim started his professional career in Anyang LG Cheetahs in 2000, and spent his prime with them before joining Zenit Saint Petersburg. On 28 June 2006, he transferred to Zenit, following coach Dick Advocaat and Korean teammate Lee Ho. During his second season in Zenit, he helped his team to achieve their first Russian Premier League title by showing outstanding performance, and was named the second best left-back of the Russian Football Union. However, he couldn't show his ability after suffering a leg injury in the middle of the next season. Furthermore, he had a sudden problem with the blood circulation of his brain, and Zenit finally terminated his contract on 26 January 2010. He moved to Ulsan Hyundai and FC Seoul after other medical check-ups that found he was healthy enough to play, but he couldn't settle there.
On 24 July 2019, Kim played Kitchee's friendly against Manchester City until being substituted in the 15th minute, and was handed a City shirt by Man City manager Pep Guardiola as strolling off the pitch. After the match, Kim retired from playing career, and became a coach of Kitchee.

International career

He was South Korea's left midfielder in the [Football at the 2004 K League|2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Summer Olympics], and helped Korea finish second in Group A by scoring one goal and two assists, consequently advancing to the next round. However, they were stopped by the silver medalist Paraguay.
In 2004, Kim's performance against Germany while under Jo Bonfrère secured him the left-back or left midfield position, which originally belonged to Lee Young-pyo. However, as Advocaat became the new manager of South Korea in November 2005, both Lee and Kim had to compete for the position. Since the two players proved to be highly influential to the national team, both players were rotated for the left back position during 2006 FIFA World Cup.
During the 2008 Summer Olympics, he was summoned to join South Korean under-23 squad as an over-aged player. Despite his solid performance and a winning goal scored in the last game against Honduras, his team was eliminated in the first round.

Managerial career

On 29 September 2023, Kim was appointed as the interim head coach of Kitchee.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
119 December 2004Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea1–03–1Friendly
229 January 2006Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong1–02–02006 Lunar New Year Cup

Honours

Player

FC Seoul
Zenit Saint Petersburg
Muangthong United
Kitchee
South Korea U23
South Korea
Individual

Manager

Kitchee