Yoo Byung-Soo (, born 26 March 1988) is a South Korean football striker.

He has been nicknamed the "Ronaldo of Wolmido", because of his spinless free-kick that resembles that of Cristiano Ronaldo's. Wolmido is a small park in Incheon city, where he started his professional career.

Yoo Byung-soo

Club career

Youth career

Yoo entered Dunchun Middle School, scoring at least one goal in nearly every match he played in. Then he entered Unnam High School, winning the top scorer award in a couple of national competitions. After graduating from high school, he decided to enter Hong-Ik University, winning the top assists award in National University Competition. Thus having grabbed the attention of many scouts, he joined K-League side Incheon United.

Yoo Byung-soo

Incheon United

In the pre-season, Incheon sold its franchise star striker Bang Seung-Hwan to Jeju United. This transfer worried many Incheon fans as they had already sold another striker Dženan Radončić to Seongnam Ilhwa. However, Incheon's newly appointed manager Ilija Petković said that Yoo Byung-Soo could be the replacement, and he can develop into a new franchise star for Incheon.

Yoo Byung-soo

On 3 March 2009, Yoo scored in his senior debut match against Busan I'Park. In his debut season in K-League, he was widely regarded as one of the best candidates for the Rookie of the Season award but eventually Gangwon FC's forward Kim Young-Hoo grabbed the award. In November 2009, he was linked with Premier League side Bolton Wanderers.

In the 2010 K-League season, he scored 22 goals in 28 appearances, and was named 2010 K-League top scorer, Yoo signed a contract extension with Incheon United, running until 2013.

Al Hilal

In July 2011, Yoo signed a new contract with the Asian club of the century, Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, running until 2014. He scored a total of 16 goals while playing 44 league matches in two seasons for the Riyadh-based team.

Rostov

On 22 June 2013, Al Hilal announced that Yoo had agreed on a transfer to a Russian Premier League side FC Rostov.

Return to Korea

In 2017, Yoo joined Gimpo Citizen FC for public service work. During August 2018, Yoo spent time on trial with A-League side Wellington Phoenix; scoring in a 5–0 friendly victory over Napier City Rovers on 24 August.

In 2019, Yoo signed with K3 League team Hwaseong FC.

International career

On June 3, 2009, he played his first senior game against Oman national football team, as a second-half substitute. Yoo was selected to take part in the Asian Cup 2011 in Qatar.

Club career statistics

Honours

As a player

Al-Hilal

Crown Prince Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13

Rostov

Russian Cup: 2013–14

References

External links

1988 births

Living people

South Korean men's footballers

South Korea men's international footballers

South Korean expatriate men's footballers

2011 AFC Asian Cup players

Incheon United FC players

Al Hilal SFC players

FC Rostov players

K League 1 players

Yoo Byung-soo

Yoo Byung-soo

Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia

South Korean expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia

Expatriate men's footballers in Russia

South Korean expatriate sportspeople in Russia

Expatriate men's footballers in Thailand

South Korean expatriate sportspeople in Thailand

Yoo Byung-soo

Yoo Byung-soo

Russian Premier League players

Footballers from Daegu

Men's association football forwards

Saudi Pro League players