Jeonbuk's champion captain becomes Zhejiang's new midfield core! Park Jin-seop: I have come for the Chinese Super League title.

Written by Zuo Rui On January 2nd, Zhejiang FC confirmed the acquisition of South Korean defensive midfielder Park Jin-seop. For the new season, this Korean international will don the number 4 jersey to guard the midfield and defensive line for Zhejiang. Speaking to our paper, the 1.86m tall, 80kg defensive powerhouse said, "I have come for the CSL title, which is a common objective between the club and myself."

At 30 years old, Park Jin-seop captained Jeonbuk Hyundai last year to win both the K League 1 and the Korean FA Cup titles. He was named in the K League Best XI and awarded the Cup MVP. Jeonbuk's coach, Poyet, believed Park was not only the K League MVP but also "a leader you cannot find anywhere else in the world."

Brimming with honors, he transferred to the CSL. If Zhejiang FC signed him at the perfect moment, one might wonder why he chose to move during the peak of his career. Better pay was only part of the reason; the key factor was the conversation with the club’s vice general manager Wu Shaokun, after which Park realized, "This club truly needs me and values me highly, so I decided to join Zhejiang."

Before reaching the pinnacle of his career, Park Jin-seop’s journey was very inspirational. Korean media regard him as a "model who worked his way up from grassroots to top league and national team." Korean fans affectionately call him the "K League Vardy," comparing his rise to the English Premier League Golden Boot winner who climbed from England’s 7th division to win the Premier League unexpectedly.

Born in Jeonju, he spent all his youth there. While attending Jeonju Haeseong High School and Jeonju Vocational High School, balancing studies and football, he often watched Jeonbuk Hyundai’s matches. After high school, he struggled to get into university immediately, eventually enrolling at Seoul Digital University of Culture and Arts, which had no football field, so training took place in parks. Despite the team’s last-place finish in the university league, he won the league’s golden boot twice, catching scouts' attention.

In winter 2016, Park was invited to trial with K2 team Daejeon Citizen. Banners congratulating the campus star on turning pro were hung around the university, but due to a coaching change, he failed to sign before the contract deadline. He began his professional career in 2017 with K3 league’s Daejeon Korail. His coach encouraged him, saying, "Lee Eui-yong, who had nowhere to go back then, also started with us at Daejeon Korail, later joining the top league and playing in the 2002 World Cup."

Looking back at his journey from university league to K3, then K2 with Ansan Greeners and Daejeon Citizen, and finally joining K1 powerhouse Jeonbuk Hyundai at age 27, Park said the toughest time was during university league. "Conditions were poor in every aspect back then. I tried to find motivation to keep going. When I reached professional clubs, conditions improved greatly, and I cherished the environment, focusing more on football."

At Daejeon Korail, playing as a forward, he scored 11 goals in one season. At Ansan Greeners, he switched to defensive midfielder, showing adaptability to higher leagues and different positions. At Daejeon Citizen, he became a key player and was selected in the K2 Best XI as a defensive midfielder. At Jeonbuk Hyundai, he was named in the K1 Best XI at both center back and defensive midfield positions.

This current Korean international has played as a center back against China in World Cup qualifiers and East Asian Cup, and competed for a starting defensive midfield spot in the Asian Cup. Currently, Zhejiang has positioned him as their undisputed defensive midfielder, which aligns with his personal preference: "I want to play defensive midfield. I appreciate the club and coach’s recognition of my skills there," he said. "But if the team needs me at defense, I will give my best effort."

His position changes from forward to defensive midfielder and center back reflect his strong competitive spirit and game reading ability. From top scorer to best defensive midfielder, best center back, and MVP, no matter the league level or position, he always "studies how to perform at his best" and achieves it through hard work and dedication.

"The changes in my position were not really my own intention; they mostly happened according to the team’s needs," Park said. At his new club, entrusted with a key defensive midfield role, he has two role models to learn from: Manchester City’s Rodri, whom he greatly admires internationally, and South Korea’s Shin Hyung-min, his favorite Korean player. "They both play the same position, so I want to learn from them."

Nearly 40-year-old Shin Hyung-min currently plays in the K2 league and is known for his honest and hardworking character, both on and off the pitch, serving as a model professional. At his career peak, he represented South Korea multiple times. During his six seasons at Jeonbuk Hyundai, he took a two-year military leave but later regained form and returned to Jeonbuk. When Shin played defensive midfield at Jeonbuk, Park was still in university and just a fan of his.

Zhejiang FC regards Park Jin-seop as the strongest foreign player in the same position in the CSL, but he is not yet considered the "Korean No.1 defensive midfielder." In the national team, overseas midfielders like Park Yong-woo, Baek Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom, and Korean-German Castro pose varying degrees of competition. However, the Korean team currently lacks a definite main defensive midfielder like in the past with players such as Ryu Sang-cheol, Kim Nam-il, and Ki Sung-yueng. During the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the CSL will continue, so Zhejiang must prepare well for Park’s availability.

In Zhejiang FC’s official announcement, Park’s arrival is expected to strengthen the team’s midfield defensive toughness and depth, becoming an indispensable defensive shield. His "excellent heading, long-range shooting, and ability to build attacks from the back" also make him valuable offensively. Such expectations will surely make him a focal point for Zhejiang fans and a formidable opponent for CSL rivals.

This is not Zhejiang’s first connection with Korean football. Names like Ding Donghao, Kim Dong-jin, and Son Dae-ho are fading memories. Ten years ago, when Hong Myung-bo coached, Woo Ban-seok joined, becoming Zhejiang’s fourth and last Korean foreign player before Park. "Of course, I aim to surpass my predecessors," Park said. "Only by setting such goals can you show the right attitude. I will work hard to achieve this."

Besides Zhejiang’s high hopes for him, Park knows many Korean players have appeared in other CSL clubs before him. "Those predecessors who came earlier have performed well in the CSL and other leagues. I will do my best to match or exceed their achievements."

Currently, with Park Ji-soo leaving Wuhan Three Towns, Park Jin-seop might be the only Korean player fighting solo in the CSL next season. "If I am the sole Korean player, my conduct might represent Korean players as a whole, so I will carry a sense of responsibility and show my best in the CSL."

During his university days, Park was thrilled to take a photo with his idol Hwang Sun-hong. He never imagined that years later he would become part of the Korean Asian Games team coached by Hwang. In 2023, Park participated as an overage player in the Hangzhou Asian Games, suffering a head injury requiring ten stitches in the final but still finishing the match, ultimately creating a cherished memory by winning gold at Huanglong Stadium.

A united mentor and disciple can achieve great things. Park’s encounter with Hwang Sun-hong was furthered in Hangzhou. Korea defeated Japan 2-1 in the final, and players like Park Jin-seop and Lee Gang-in earned the reward of military service exemption—often a pivotal point in Korean players’ careers. Now, Huanglong Stadium is Park’s CSL home. "Hangzhou is my lucky place; it’s a wonderful city. Huanglong is a fantastic stadium. I will quickly adapt to the team and help Zhejiang win the championship and create new history."

It is well known that Zhejiang FC is a club rich in youth training talent but has never won the CSL title. Park fully understands his role. "I know there are many talented young players on the team. I am older than them, and I will do my best to help them adjust their form and mindset, so they can reach their full potential. I believe we will win the championship soon."

Besides his competitiveness and leadership on the field, the club highly values Park’s example off the pitch. They hope his story of "hard work, persistence, and self-surpassing," along with his "focus, passion, and professionalism," will positively influence his teammates. He is mentally prepared for this: "I have always thought that whether on or off the field, I must set a good example, and it will naturally show."

Zhejiang’s recruitment standards are rising, demanding not only playing skills but also that core players’ values align closely with the club’s. "My personal goals and values completely match the club’s. I will quickly learn the culture here and get familiar with my new teammates. I am very eager to achieve our shared goal—the CSL championship."

Next, Park Jin-seop will join the team’s training camp in Guangdong. During the winter training, spending days and nights together, he will have time to catch up and opportunities to show his social skills. A travel enthusiast, Park looks forward to returning to Hangzhou after training to explore every charming corner of the city during breaks from practice and matches. "Yes, I will try to learn about this city. Many Koreans enjoy traveling here, so I am excited too." (Contributions also by Han Bing and Song Qingyun)