South Korean footballers that play in the UK

From Park Ji-sung to Son Heung-min, British football has showcased the talents of some of the best South Korean players of all time.

We examine the South Korean players currently strutting their stuff throughout the UK.

South Korean players in the Premier League

• Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

Arguably the greatest Asian footballer of all time, Son Heung-min has been a revelation at Tottenham since arriving in north London from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22m.

The second top goalscorer in Premier League history for Spurs behind former teammate Harry Kane, the South Korean and Englishman hold the record for most goal contributions between two players since the competition's establishment in 1993 with 47.

A tremendous athlete who always gives his maximum for the team, Son is also renowned for his world class finishing ability off both feet.

• Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)

Arriving in the Premier League with Wolves initially on loan from revered talent factory RB Leipzig in 2021, Hwang Hee-chan has become a popular figure at Molineux thanks to his work rate and incisive attacking play.

A versatile forward who can play through the middle or out wide, Hwang's most productive season for Wolves came in the 2023/24 campaign with the South Korean netting 12 Premier League goals.

• Kim Ji-soo (Brentford)

A highly-rated South Korean youth international, 6ft 4ins central defender Kim Ji-soo made the step up from Seongnam FC in his homeland to Premier League side Brentford for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023.

The first ever South Korean centre-back to play in England's top flight, Kim is regarded as one for the future and is yet to fully establish himself in Thomas Frank's first team in west London.

South Korean players in the Championship

• Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City)

Regarded as one of South Korea's best young talents at Daejeon Hana Citizen, Bae Jun-ho transferred to English Championship side Stoke City for an undisclosed fee in August 2023.

A silky attacking midfielder, Bae has shown glimpses of brilliance at Stoke while struggling to register consistent output in terms of goals and assists.

• Yang Min-hyeok (Queens Park Rangers)

Another young attacking player to have garnered excitement in South Korea, Yang Min-hyeok was snapped up by Tottenham from Gangwon FC in the summer of 2024.

Officially joining ranks with Spurs in January 2025, Yang was immediately loaned out to Championship side Queens Park Rangers for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.

A two-footed winger who has drawn inevitable comparisons with national icon Son, there are reportedly high hopes for Yang within the hierarchy at Tottenham.

• Eom Ji-Sung (Swansea City)

A full South Korea international who scored on his senior debut for his country in a friendly against Iceland in January 2022, Eom Ji-Sung departed Gwangju FC for Swansea City in July 2024 for a fee reportedly in the region of £1m.

Commonly deployed on the left flank by the Swans, Eom is a proficient dribbler who thrives when cutting inside onto his natural right foot.

South Korean players in League One

• Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City)

An academy product of Barcelona at La Masia, Paik Seung-ho also spent time at Girona and Darmstadt 98 as a young player before returning home with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2023.

Maturing into a full South Korea international, Paik returned to Europe to join Birmingham City in January 2024.

An all-round midfielder with a lovely blend of physical and technical attributes, Paik has been an integral part of a Blues side which has dominated League One in 2024/25 under the guidance of manager Chris Davies.

• Lee Myung-jae (Birmingham City)

Left-back Lee Myung-jae added to Birmingham City's South Korean contingent when signing from Ulsan HD in January 2025.

An international player for South Korea, Lee will aim to elevate his career to a new level as part of an ambitious Blues outfit.

South Korean players in the Scottish Premiership

• Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic)

Technically gifted winger Yang Hyun-jun followed in the footsteps of compatriots Cha Du-ri, Ki Sung-yueng and Oh Hyeon-gyu in joining Celtic after being acquired from Gangwon FC in July 2023.

Initially appearing to struggle to adapt to the rigours of the Scottish Premiership, Yang has improved over time as a Celtic player and undoubtedly boasts the potential to be a success in Glasgow's East End.

• Kwon Hyeok-kyu (Hibernian)

Joining Celtic on the same day as countryman Yang, 6ft 4ins midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu has received less first team opportunities with the Hoops.

Spending the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at St Mirren, Kwon signed for another Scottish Premiership side in the form of Hibernian on a season-long loan deal in August 2024.