Kim Shin-wook-Cedar Herald Index

Kim Shin-wook (; ; born 14 April 1988) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a striker for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee.

Club career

Ulsan Hyundai

Kim spent his youth training either as a central defender or a defensive midfielder, but upon suggestion by his manager, he changed his position into a forward a few weeks after signing his first professional contract with Ulsan Hyundai. At first, he struggled to adjust in the new position but lately he has been proving his worth by being one of the top forwards in the Korean football league. His improvement as a striker the last few years is evidenced by his ever-increasing goal scoring record.

Kim Shin-wook

Kim was a very influential figure during Ulsan's road to the 2012 AFC Champions League winning title. Kim performed at a top level in all of the 13 matches he played in and ended the tournament with 6 goals scored. With such performance, he was nicknamed as "Attack on Titan" or "Chinook".

Kim Shin-wook

Shanghai Shenhua

On 8 July 2019, Kim joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua and was reunited with his manager at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Choi Kang-hee. He would make his debut in a league game against Hebei where he also scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat. After that game Kim quickly established himself as an integral member of the team and he would personally score 10 goals in 15 games as the club moved away from the relegation zone and went on to win the 2019 Chinese FA Cup.

Kim Shin-wook

Lion City Sailors

On 15 November 2021, Kim joined Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors on a three-year contract reportedly worth more than S$3 million, after his contract at Shanghai had ended. He would make his debut in the 2022 Singapore Community Shield game against Albirex Niigata Singapore where he scored his first goal and brace for the club in a 2–1 win, winning his first silverware with the Sailors in a dream debut.

On 1 April 2022, Kim scored his first hat-trick for the Sailors, as the club cruised to a 4–0 victory against Balestier Khalsa during the 2022 Singapore Premier League season.

On 30 January 2023, Kim departed from Lion City Sailors by mutual consent amidst criticism of his mobility and cost cutting at parent company Sea Limited

Kitchee

On 2 February 2023, Kim officially joined Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee on a free transfer, signing a contract until 2026.

Being unable to score in the 22/23 season, there are rumours that Kitchee was going to terminate Kim’s contract, however Kim still appears on the team squad in the 23/24 season and he scored a hat trick on his first appearance in the league this season against HKFC.

International career

Kim was selected for South Korea's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and showed great performances in aerial duels against Algerian and Belgian players. He was expected to dominate the air in the 2018 FIFA World Cup like in the previous tournament, but failed to exert influence on Swedish defenders.

In October 2014, he and his teammates were awarded with a conscription exemption after winning the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games.

Personal life

Kim is known to be a devout Christian who reads the bible before games and is nicknamed "church brother" by his teammates. He sometimes participates in evangelizing activities.