Lee Kang-in returns to Spain with Atlético Madrid, Kim Min-jae faces competition at Bayern Munich as European football season begins

South Korean football star Lee Kang-in is returning to the Spanish league, joining Atlético Madrid for the upcoming 2026-2027 La Liga season. The 25-year-old midfielder, who transferred from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer, is set to make his home debut on August 20th against Málaga at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium. Lee previously played in Spain for Valencia and Mallorca before his move to PSG, where he gained experience in Ligue 1 and won two UEFA Champions League titles. Atlético Madrid, considered one of Spain's top three clubs alongside Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, has chosen Lee to help fill the void left by Antoine Griezmann, who moved to MLS. The club aims to compete for the league title with Lee as a key player.

Meanwhile, key South Korean defender Kim Min-jae is embarking on his fourth season with German club Bayern Munich. After joining the Bundesliga in 2023, he has been a rotation player. For the 2026-2027 season, Kim faces continued competition for a starting spot against players like Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, but he is determined to secure his place through his strengths. Bayern Munich is scheduled to play a friendly against RB Leipzig on August 15th, followed by the German Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on August 23rd, marking the official start of their new season.

Veteran midfielder Lee Jae-sung is entering his sixth season with Mainz, having been a consistent starter since joining in 2021. The team will begin their new season with an away match in the first round of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) against FC Kaiserslautern on August 23rd, after a practice match against Bournemouth.

Other Korean players are also gearing up for their seasons. Hwang In-beom is starting his first season with Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto. He recently won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira with the team and is expected to make his league debut on August 16th against Rio Ave. Forward Oh Hyeon-gyu is preparing for his second season in Turkey with Beşiktaş. While the team has already begun its UEFA Europa League qualifiers, their Süper Lig season kicks off on August 17th at home against Eyüpspor.