Koo Ja-cheol (Jeju), a former national team midfielder who was a big shot of “passion” and “fighting spirit,” will take off his soccer shoes at the age of 35.
The Jeju team said on Wednesday that Koo will retire from active duty after the 2024 season. After suffering from calf injury for nearly two years, Koo has reportedly decided to leave the soccer field without regret after agonizing over whether to extend his career or retire. He plans to remain in Jeju as a friendly team and continue his relationship by holding certain positions such as staff or ambassador.
Koo quickly distinguished himself by making his professional debut in Jeju in 2007 at the age of 18. He was selected as an early member of the Korean national team through the 2008 East Asian Games. In 2010, his fourth season in the K-League, he played in 26 matches, scoring five goals and 11 assists, contributing to Jeju’s runner-up finish. He overcame his weaknesses, such as slow speed, through flexible turn motions and quick judgment of situations. He has established himself as a regular member of the Korean national team by banking on his energy, high level of determination and leadership to and from the second and third lines of attack.
The 2012 London Olympics was the highlight of his career. Koo Ja-cheol led his team to a surprise bronze medal as the captain of Hong Myung-bo. He scored a decisive goal in the bronze medal match against Japan. He shouted “Why? Why?” to the referee with his big eyes, expressing his strong desire to win.
Koo Ja-cheol, who left Jeju in 2011 and joined Wolfsburg to achieve his dream of entering Europe, played for Wolfsburg from 2011 to 2014, Mainz from 2014 to 2015, and Augsburg from 2015 to 2019. In particular, he was treated as a legend at Augsburg, where he played for four seasons. Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Ji Dong-won (Suwon FC), Hong Jung-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) laid the foundation for his juniors to take root in the Bundesliga.
Koo moved to Algarapa in Qatar in 2019, and returned to his home country in 2022 after playing for Al Cor, where he has played 25 games so far. He played in only three games this season due to his calf injury, and the match against Daejeon on November 24th was his farewell match. Coincidentally, Koo finished his career in Daejeon. The final record of the K League 1 was eight goals and 19 assists in 95 games. While playing for the national team, he played 76 games through the quarterfinal match against Qatar (0-1 loss) at the 2019 Qatar Asian Cup, and had 19 goals. 카지노사이트
Koo was the first among the three best friends of the same age to take off his soccer boots. Seoul midfielder Ki Sung-yueng recently completed his A-certification as the leader of the Union of European Football Associations, but apart from that, he is certain to play as an active player next year. Ulsan midfielder Lee Chung-yong is said to be in negotiations with Ulsan to renew his contract.