Minjae Kim Moves To Bayern
FC Bayern Munich have signed South Korean professional footballer, Minjae Kim.
He joins Bayern from reigning Serie A champions, Napoli, on a five-year contract, the Club said in a statement on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
He will wear the number 3 jersey, Bayern confirmed.
Bayern was attracted by the 26-year-old’s “physical presence, as well as his mentality and speed”, Chief Executive Officer, Jan-Christian Dreesen said.
He added, “Minjae Kim has developed extremely well, winning the Serie A title with Napoli last season and being voted the best defender in the league.”
“We’re pleased he can immediately take part fully in pre-season and firmly believe that he will also excite our fans with his style of play,” he continued.
Kim called his move a dream promising to develop his skill on the ground and win more trophies.
“FC Bayern is a dream for every footballer. I’m really looking forward to what’s to come in Munich. It’s a new beginning for me. I’ll continue to develop here. In discussions with the club, it was made clear to me from the start how interested they are in me. My first goal is to play a lot of games. In addition, I want to win as many trophies as possible.”
In the just-ended season, Kim scored two goals and gave two assists during his 35 appearances in Serie A with Napoli.
Born in Tongyeong, Kim started his career at third-division outfit Gyeongju KHNP in his homeland. After joining K League 1 side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, he twice won the league in South Korea. Via spells at Beijing Guoan in China and Fenerbahce in Turkey, he joined Napoli in Italy last summer.
Kim has 49 senior caps for the national team, scoring three goals. He and his country reached the round of 16 at last year’s World Cup, where he started three of the four games.
The centre-back also won gold at the 2018 Asian Games with South Korea’s U23s.
