Kim Young-gwon is a 36-year-old South Korean centre-back who plays for Ulsan HD. The left-footed defender remains part of the South Korea player pool before World Cup 2026. The guide covers his age, nationality, position, current club, salary, net worth, career stats, and international outlook.
Kim Young-gwon matters to the Taeguk Warriors because he is a left-footed centre-back who reads danger early, passes calmly, and brings World Cup leadership. Readers tracking FIFA World Cup 2026 can judge his role through club rhythm, international caps, and tactical fit. His squad case also connects to Group B, where balance and match discipline will decide South Korea's route.
Quick Answer
Kim Young-gwon is a South Korean professional footballer from Jeonju, South Korea. He plays as a centre-back for Ulsan HD and wears number 19. Kim Young-gwon has 112 senior caps and 7 international goals for the Taeguk Warriors. His profile is built around a left-footed centre-back who reads danger early, passes calmly, and brings World Cup leadership.
Early Life and Background
Kim Young-gwon was born on 27 February 1990 in Jeonju, South Korea. His route into senior football came through club development, where physical preparation and tactical discipline are central. That base helped him move from local competition into a larger national-team conversation.
Players in South Korea's pool often need patience because senior squads carry deep competition. Kim Young-gwon earned his role by turning training standards into first-team trust. His career now shows how domestic consistency can build a World Cup case.
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Public coverage of Kim Young-gwon's background focuses mainly on football development. His professional identity comes from club progress, national-team call-ups, and the ability to handle stronger opponents. That route fits a player whose value is measured through role clarity rather than off-field attention.
FC Tokyo, Omiya Ardija, Guangzhou Evergrande, Gamba Osaka, and Ulsan HD built his long international career. His early years gave him the technical habits needed for senior football. As a result, his current profile reflects both local grounding and international ambition.
Kim Young-gwon Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Kim Young-gwon |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 February 1990 |
| Age | 36 |
| Nationality | South Korea |
| Height | 1.86 m |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Preferred foot | Left |
| Current club | Ulsan HD |
| Jersey number | 19 |
| Weekly salary | Approx EUR15,000 per week |
| Estimated net worth | Approx $5 million to $10 million |
The profile data places Kim Young-gwon in a clear senior squad role. His height, position, preferred foot, and club level explain why he fits the current national-team pool. Those details matter because World Cup selection rewards role fit as much as reputation.
His current club work gives selectors a weekly view of rhythm and readiness. South Korea need players who can translate league habits into short tournament windows. Kim Young-gwon's value sits in that bridge between domestic performance and international trust.
Transfer News and Market Value
Kim Young-gwon's market value is around EUR300,000 to EUR700,000 in the current public range. That figure reflects age, contract stage, position, club level, and recent national-team involvement. Market value should be read as a football valuation, not a prediction of an immediate transfer.
Transfer attention around Kim Young-gwon depends on minutes, role stability, and tournament exposure. A strong World Cup preparation run can lift interest because scouts trust players who perform under national pressure. Still, his immediate priority is protecting club form before the final squad decision.
Ulsan HD remains the key reference point for his short-term football path. The club role gives him the match rhythm needed to stay visible. That is especially important when South Korea compare players with similar domestic profiles.
Kim Young-gwon Salary and Net Worth
Kim Young-gwon's estimated annual salary is Approx EUR780,000 per year. That equals about Approx EUR15,000 per week before bonuses, image income, and private commercial details. The figure gives a contract-level view rather than a full career wealth calculation.
His estimated net worth is Approx $5 million to $10 million in 2026. That range reflects club contracts, senior-team bonuses, domestic football earnings, and likely personal sponsorship income. Salary and net worth stay separate because one measures current pay while the other reflects career value.
A stable club role can protect both income and football visibility. Tournament selection can also increase commercial value, especially for players in a high-profile World Cup group. Kim Young-gwon's financial profile should be judged through that wider career lens.
Kim Young-gwon Club Career
Kim Young-gwon's recent club record covers Guangzhou Evergrande, Gamba Osaka, Ulsan HD. That run shows a player who has stayed inside competitive senior football while fighting for national-team relevance. Club continuity matters because the World Cup window leaves little time for players to recover form.
His club career also explains his tactical identity. Training across club football, and in some cases abroad, exposes players to different pressing speeds and defensive demands. Those habits can help South Korea build a more flexible tournament squad.
Early clubs and development
FC Tokyo, Omiya Ardija, Guangzhou Evergrande, Gamba Osaka, and Ulsan HD built his long international career. His early club environment taught him how to manage pressure from senior teammates and supporters. That experience supports a player moving toward high-stakes international matches.
Development was not only about minutes. It also involved tactical learning, physical growth, and the discipline to keep a role inside demanding squads. Those traits remain central to his World Cup 2026 case.
Current club and recent form
Kim Young-gwon currently plays for Ulsan HD. His recent form should be judged through minutes, role stability, and how well his skill set matches national-team needs. A player can strengthen selection hopes by staying fit, sharp, and tactically reliable.
South Korea's staff will need clear evidence before final squad registration. Kim Young-gwon can help his case by showing consistency in league matches and training camps. That combination often matters more than one isolated highlight.
Kim Young-gwon - Stats and Performance
Recent Club Stats
| Season | Club | League Apps | Goals | Total Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2018 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 91 | 3 | 91 |
| 2019-2021 | Gamba Osaka | 76 | 1 | 76 |
| 2022-present | Ulsan HD | 125 | 3 | 125 |
Career Totals Snapshot
| Career area | Appearances | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior club sample | 292 | 7 | Recent three-season club record |
| South Korea | 112 | 7 | Senior international record |
The recent club table separates current performance from full career reputation. That matters because World Cup squads are usually decided by fresh rhythm and tactical reliability. Kim Young-gwon's numbers show how his club role supports his South Korea case.
International Career
Kim Young-gwon has 112 senior caps and 7 international goals. His national-team role has developed through qualification, friendlies, and squad camps. South Korea need that depth because the 2026 tournament format increases squad management pressure.
The Taeguk Warriors will judge him through form, position fit, and tactical reliability. Players who can understand compact defending and quick transitions have extra value in difficult groups. Kim Young-gwon's profile gives the staff another option in that planning window.
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
His international record shows how often he has been trusted at senior level. Caps alone do not guarantee selection, yet they show familiarity with national-team demands. That familiarity can matter when preparation time is short.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 112 | 7 | World Cup qualification, AFC competition, senior friendlies |
World Cup Record by Tournament
| Year | Host | Matches | Goals | Assists | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Brazil | 3 | 0 | 0 | Group stage |
| 2018 | Russia | 3 | 2 | 0 | Group stage |
| 2022 | Qatar | 4 | 0 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| 2026 | USA / Canada / Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualified |
| Total | - | 10 | 2 | 0 | - |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Champions League | 2 | 2013, 2015 |
| Chinese Super League | 6 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| K League 1 | 2 | 2022, 2023 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Kim Young-gwon's playing style is defined by a left-footed centre-back who reads danger early, passes calmly, and brings World Cup leadership. That skill set gives South Korea a specific tool rather than a generic squad number. Tournament football rewards players who understand their role quickly and repeat it under pressure.
His key strengths are role discipline, competitive toughness, and the ability to fit a compact team shape. South Korea often need players who can defend space first, then move forward at the right moment. Kim Young-gwon fits that demand when his club form keeps him sharp.
Position, role, and standout qualities
Kim Young-gwon plays as a centre-back, but the exact role depends on the match plan. He can help the team by keeping distances tight and making simple decisions under pressure. His standout qualities connect directly to South Korea's need for structure in 2026.
The next test is consistency. A World Cup squad spot depends on fitness, match rhythm, and the final coach's tactical preference. Kim Young-gwon has enough profile value to stay in that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kim Young-gwon and what is his nationality?
Kim Young-gwon is 36 years old and South Korean. He was born in Jeonju, South Korea on 27 February 1990.
Which club does Kim Young-gwon play for now?
Kim Young-gwon plays for Ulsan HD. His listed position is Centre-back.
What is Kim Young-gwon's playing style?
Kim Young-gwon is a left-footed centre-back who reads danger early, passes calmly, and brings World Cup leadership. That profile helps the Taeguk Warriors manage different match states.
Is Kim Young-gwon part of the South Korea national team?
Yes, Kim Young-gwon is in the wider South Korea senior picture with 112 caps. Final World Cup selection depends on the official tournament squad.
What is Kim Young-gwon's salary or net worth?
His estimated salary is Approx EUR15,000 per week, or about Approx EUR780,000 per year. His estimated net worth is Approx $5 million to $10 million.
Conclusion
Kim Young-gwon gives South Korea a clear defender option before World Cup 2026. His club role, senior caps, and tactical fit keep him relevant in a competitive squad. The final decision will depend on fitness, form, and how the coach balances experience with freshness.
South Korea need reliable players who can handle Group B pressure. Kim Young-gwon can help if his club rhythm stays strong. His profile is strongest when role clarity, fitness, and match discipline all arrive together.