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| 사진=REUTERS Yonhap News |
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| Photo = AFP Yonhap News |
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Korea's European wave '21st Century Boys' is shining. Young players born in the early and mid-2000s who entered Europe are flashing their talents at the same time as the new season.
Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain, France), born in 2001, is at the starting point. Lee Kang-in, who was called the 'youngest brother', has already grown into the eldest brother of the European team 'youngests'. He plays a key role in his team and the national team. At the end of last season, he suffered from various transfer rumors due to his ambiguous position in his team. However, he is showing his strength at the start of the season. Lee Kang-in took the lead in PSG's first victory in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham (England) on the 14th (Korea time). He was replaced in the 23rd minute of the second half when his team was losing 0-2. The game led to a penalty shootout with a 2-to-2 advantage. Lee Kang-in also scored as a kicker in the penalty shootout to win the championship. Lee Kang-in, who was in the mood, started the opening game of the French League 1 in the 2025-2026 season against Nantes at Stade de la Bozoire in Nantes, France on the 18th. Lee Kang-in played 61 minutes to help his team win 1-0.
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| 사진=EPA Yonhap News |
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| Photo = AFP Yonhap News |
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Kwon Hyuk-kyu (Nant), who was born in 2001, also showed off his presence. Kwon Hyuk-kyu wore Nantes' uniform through the summer transfer market. He started the opener against PSG and played 79 minutes. He recorded a pass success rate of 73% (11 out of 15), blocked three times, and a ground ball competition success rate of 100% (3 times). Lee Tae-seok (Bin, Austria), who was born in 2002, is also making a soft landing on the Austrian stage. Lee Tae-seok, who recently left Pohang Steelers to join Vienna, started in the third round of the Austrian Bundesliga against LASK Linz on the 18th. For the first time since his transfer, he has been on the starting list. Lee Tae-seok, who played as a left wing-back, played full time.
Kim Ji-soo (Kaiserslautern, Germany) who was born in 2004 scored his debut goal in European soccer. He started in the first round of the German Football Association Cup (DFB Pokal) away match against RSV Eintracht (fifth division) at Karl-Leafknecht-Stadion in Potsdam, Germany on the 17th. He used his height to complete the header goal in the 24th minute of the first half when his team was leading 2-0. It was his first goal since his loan transfer to Kaiserslautern and his first goal on the European stage. Kim Ji-soo is considered a defender who will lead Korean soccer. He joined Brentford in the English Premier League (EPL) in June 2023. In December last year, he made the EPL stage at the age of 20 years and 4 days. He became the youngest Korean to make a debut in the EPL. However, when he did not get as many opportunities as expected, he took on a new challenge through a loan transfer.
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| Newcastle Park Seung-soo is in the match between Team K League and Newcastle at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 30th. Suwon = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.30/ |
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| Newcastle Park Seung-soo played a match between Tottenham and Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd. Sangam = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.03/ |
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Park Seung-soo (Newcastle, England), who was born in 2007, was surprisingly named in the EPL opening entry against Aston Villa on the 16th. He initially looked set to start the season with Newcastle's Under-21 side. However, he was included in the opening game entry due to his impressive performance in the preseason. Expectations in the local media are getting higher.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
