Kim Ji-su included in Brentford's first team, continuing South Korean Premier League legacy

Kim Ji-su, a defender considered a future prospect for the South Korean national football team, has been named to the Brentford FC first team for the 2026-2027 season. This inclusion extends the continuous presence of South Korean players in the English Premier League.

Kim, who will wear the number 36 jersey, joined Brentford in 2023 from K League 1 club Seongnam FC. He made five appearances for Brentford in the 2024-2025 season, including three in the league as a substitute. He then moved on loan to German second-division side Kaiserslautern, playing 18 matches and scoring one goal.

His promotion to the Brentford first team comes at a time when the presence of South Korean players in the Premier League was uncertain. Son Heung-min transferred to LAFC in the MLS, and Hwang Hee-chan's club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, was relegated to the Championship. The Premier League has seen a continuous stream of South Korean talent since Park Ji-sung's move to Manchester United in 2005, including notable players like Lee Young-pyo, Lee Chung-yong, and Ki Sung-yueng.

While other young South Korean talents like Yang Min-hyuk and Yoon Do-young are currently on loan at clubs like Tottenham and Brighton respectively, Kim's inclusion ensures the streak continues. Singaporean media has highlighted this achievement, noting that Kim's presence marks 22 consecutive seasons of South Korean representation in the Premier League, even as Japanese players set a new record for their nation's representation in the league.