Park Jin-seob #16

Profile

A real late bloomer. Until he was 23 Park played in the semi-professional K3 League, but his rise since becoming a professional has been rapid: winning the K League 1 title and earning a deserved call-up to the national side. He brings useful versatility to this summer’s squad, able to operate as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. Shares his English initials, JS Park, with a South Korean legend, and is also known for his striking resemblance to international teammate Joo Min-kyu. But he’s very much an outstanding individual in his own right. Gus Poyet, his former manager at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, said after last year’s title win: "He possesses a level of leadership that is rare to find anywhere in the world. To me, Park Jin-seob is the MVP."

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