Ki Sung-yueng facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ki Sung-yueng

Ki in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Ki Sung-yueng
Date of birth	(1989-01-24) 24 January 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Gwangju, South Korea
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Pohang Steelers
Number	40
Youth career
2001–2005	John Paul College
2005	Kumho High School [ko]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2009	FC Seoul	60	(7)
2010–2012	Celtic	66	(9)
2012–2018	Swansea City	139	(12)
2013–2014	→ Sunderland (loan)	27	(3)
2018–2020	Newcastle United	21	(0)
2020	Mallorca	1	(0)
2020–2025	FC Seoul	138	(7)
2025–	Pohang Steelers	0	(0)
International career
2004	South Korea U17	6	(3)
2006–2007	South Korea U20	16	(2)
2007–2012	South Korea U23	22	(1)
2008–2019	South Korea	110	(10)
Medal record Representing  South Korea Men's football Olympic Games Bronze 2012 London Team AFC Asian Cup Silver 2015 Australia Team Bronze 2011 Qatar Team AFC Youth Championship Bronze 2006 India Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 June 2025

Ki Sung-yueng (Hangul: 기성용; Hanja: 奇誠庸; Korean pronunciation: [ki.sʌŋ.joŋ]; born 24 January 1989) is a South Korean professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for K League 1 club Pohang Steelers.

From 2008 to 2019, Ki played for the South Korea national team. He played in 110 games for his country. He was part of three World Cup teams, even leading as captain in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He also played in three Asian Cups, where his team finished second in 2015. Ki also played in two Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in 2012.

On 20 May 2015, Ki was named Swansea City's Player of the Year. He scored eight goals in 33 games for them. With Swansea, he won the EFL Cup in 2013. He also won the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Cup with Celtic.

Ki's Early Life and Football Start

Ki began his football journey at Suncheon Jungang Elementary School. Later, he joined Gwangyang Jecheol Middle School. In 2001, he moved to Brisbane, Australia, to study at John Paul College. This move was part of a special football program. His father wanted Ki to improve his sports skills, study, and learn English.

Ki played youth football for his school team. They won the 2004 Bill Turner Cup, a national competition for under-15 soccer teams. In 2005, he received offers from FC Seoul in South Korea and A-League club Queensland Roar. However, he decided to return to South Korea to continue his education and football career. After returning, Ki attended Kumho High School and finished in 2006.

Ki's Club Football Journey

Playing for FC Seoul

Ki returned to South Korea and joined FC Seoul. He played alongside his national teammate Lee Chung-yong. He made his first senior game in the K League on 4 March 2007.

In 2008, Ki became a very important player for FC Seoul. On 29 October 2008, he scored the winning goal against their rivals, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in the last minutes of the game. He helped his team finish second in the K League, scoring four goals and making one assist in 21 games.

At the start of the 2009 season, Ki scored a goal in FC Seoul's big 6–1 win. Many clubs from other countries, like PSV and Porto, became interested in signing him.

Time with Celtic

On 25 August 2009, Celtic in Scotland showed interest in Ki. Three days later, Celtic bought Ki for about £2.1 million. He joined the team in January 2010. Ki chose the number 18 shirt. He played his first game for Celtic on 16 January 2010. He was even named "Man of the Match" by Celtic's website.

Ki playing for Celtic in 2010

Ki scored his first goal for Celtic on 22 August 2010. It was a powerful shot from far away in a 4–0 win. By October, he was a regular player and was named the SPL Young Player of the Month. On 21 May 2011, Ki scored the first goal in Celtic's Scottish Cup Final win. He was also named "Man of the Match" in that final.

Ki started the 2011–12 season strongly, scoring in the first game. His manager, Neil Lennon, praised him a lot. He said Ki was a "class player" with "excellent" passing. Ki continued to play well, scoring seven goals and making six assists. He helped Celtic win the Scottish title that season.

Moving to Swansea City

Ki as a Swansea City player

On 24 August 2012, Ki joined Swansea City for about £6 million. This was a record transfer fee for Swansea at the time. He played his first game for Swansea on 28 August in a League Cup match.

Ki had a good first season in the Premier League. He played 38 games in total. On 24 February 2013, Swansea City played in the League Cup final. Ki played in a different position, helping Swansea win 5–0. This was his first trophy with the Welsh club.

Loan to Sunderland

Ki in action for Sunderland in December 2013

On 31 August 2013, Ki joined Sunderland on loan for a season. He scored his first goal for Sunderland on 17 December 2013 in a League Cup game. He scored the winning goal in the 119th minute. On 26 December, he scored his first league goal for Sunderland from a penalty kick.

On 22 January 2014, Ki helped Sunderland reach another League Cup final. They beat Manchester United in a penalty shootout. Ki played in the League Cup final on 2 March, but Sunderland lost 3–1. Ki played an important part in helping Sunderland avoid being relegated from the Premier League that season.

Back to Swansea

Ki returned to Swansea for the 2014–15 Premier League season. He scored the first goal of the season in a 2–1 win against Manchester United. On 28 August, he signed a new contract until 2018. Ki became a regular player under the new manager, Garry Monk. He played in every Premier League game until January 2015.

Ki played 28 games in the 2015–16 Premier League season, scoring two goals. He played fewer games in the 2016–17 Premier League season. In the 2017–18 Premier League season, Ki scored two goals at home. However, Swansea was relegated from the Premier League that season. After this, Ki left the club.

Playing for Newcastle United

Ki with South Korea at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

On 29 June 2018, Ki signed a two-year deal with Newcastle United. He played his first game for Newcastle on 26 August. He helped Newcastle get out of the relegation zone. His good form was paused when he joined his national team for the AFC Asian Cup.

After returning from the Asian Cup with an injury, Ki announced he would stop playing for his national team. This was so he could focus fully on his club career. However, a younger player, Sean Longstaff, started playing well and took Ki's spot. Ki played less often. In January 2020, he left Newcastle United by agreement.

Short Time with Mallorca

On 25 February 2020, Ki joined RCD Mallorca in Spain. He made his La Liga debut on 7 March. He became the first Korean player to play for Mallorca. However, his time in Spain was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also got an ankle injury. He left Mallorca after playing only one game.

Return to FC Seoul

After playing in Europe for eleven years, Ki returned to FC Seoul on 21 July 2020. He signed a contract until 2023. He played his first game back for the club on 30 August 2020. He helped bring more stability to FC Seoul's midfield. However, he got a hamstring injury in September.

After FC Seoul stayed in their division, Ki became the team's captain for the 2021 season. He started the season very well, helping FC Seoul win four of their first six games. He scored important goals in three games in a row. In April, he was named the "EA Sports Player of the Month" for his great performances.

Ki's International Career

Ki has played for South Korea at different levels. He played in the 2007 U-20 World Cup. He also played for the senior national team and the under-23 team.

On 7 June 2008, he played his first game for the senior national team. This was a World Cup qualification match. On 1 June 2010, Ki was chosen for the 23-man South Korea team for the 2010 World Cup. He played in all three group matches and helped his country reach the knockout stages.

In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Ki scored the winning penalty kick for South Korea in their quarter-final game. This helped South Korea reach the semi-finals. They lost to Brazil but won against Japan to get the bronze medal.

Ki was also chosen for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He played in all three games. After this World Cup, Ki became the captain of the national team.

Ki also played for South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup. He helped his team reach the final against Australia. He made an assist that tied the game, but Australia scored again and won.

Ki was captain for South Korea in the 2018 World Cup. He played the first two games. Ki retired from playing for his country after a game in the 2019 Asian Cup.

Ki's Personal Life

Family and Marriage

Ki's father, Ki Young-ok, was the general manager of Gwangju FC from 2015 to 2019. He left his job because of health reasons.

In March 2013, Ki confirmed he was dating actress Han Hye-jin. They announced their engagement in May 2013. They got married on 1 July 2013. Both are Christians. They had a daughter on 13 September 2015.

Past Incidents

On 25 January 2011, during a football match, Ki scored a goal. He made a gesture while celebrating. He later said this gesture was aimed at fans in Scotland who he felt had been unfair to him.

In 2013, it was reported that Ki had made some comments about his national team manager on his social media page. Ki later said sorry for his "inappropriate remarks." His father also visited the Korean Football Association to apologize.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ki goal.

List of international goals scored by Ki Sung-yueng

No.	Date	Venue	Caps	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	10 September 2008	Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai, China	2	North Korea	1–1	1–1	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	11 October 2008	Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea	3	Uzbekistan	1–0	3–0	Friendly
3	6 June 2009	Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates	11	United Arab Emirates	2–0	2–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	14 October 2009	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	16	Senegal	1–0	2–0	Friendly
5	25 January 2011	Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar	35	Japan	1–0	2–2 (aet) (0–3 p)	2011 AFC Asian Cup
6	13 October 2015	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	78	Jamaica	2–0	3–0	Friendly
7	17 November 2015	New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos	80	Laos	1–0	5–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
8					2–0
9	6 October 2016	Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea	87	Qatar	1–0	3–2	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
10	13 June 2017	Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar	93	Qatar	1–2	2–3	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours and Awards

Celtic

• Scottish Premier League: 2011–12
• Scottish Cup: 2010–11
• Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2011–12

Swansea City

• Football League Cup: 2012–13

Sunderland

• Football League Cup runner-up: 2013–14

FC Seoul

• K League runner-up: 2008
• Korean FA Cup runner-up: 2022

South Korea U20

• AFC Youth Championship third place: 2006

South Korea U23

• Summer Olympics bronze medal: 2012

South Korea

• AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2015

Individual Awards

• K League 1 Best XI: 2008, 2009
• K League Players' Player of the Year: 2009
• K League All-Star: 2009
• AFC Youth Player of the Year: 2009
• Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month: October 2010
• Korean FA Player of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2016
• Korean FA Fans' Player of the Year: 2011, 2012
• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2015
• Swansea City Player of the Season: 2014–15
• K League Player of the Month: March 2021

See also

In Spanish: Ki Sung-yueng para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps