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/Ji Dong-won

Ji Dong-won has officially announced his retirement from professional football, bringing his playing career to a close.

Through his Instagram on the 8th, Ji announced, "Today, I would like to conclude my joyful journey as a football player that began in 2010."

Looking back on his career, he reflected, "The times spent in various countries and clubs, as well as the glorious experiences with the national team—countless unforgettable moments flash through my mind."

He continued, "Holding onto the excitement and passion I felt when I first started playing football and stepped onto the pitch, I will live the rest of my life well."

Ji also expressed his gratitude to the supporters: "I sincerely thank everyone who stood by me, cheered me on, and showed me love over such a long time."

He added, "Please continue to send warm support to Ji Dong-won as I embark on a new chapter, not just as footballer Ji Dong-won."

Ji recently appeared on Captain PaChuHo, the YouTube channel hosted by former footballer Park Joo-ho, mentioning that he has an interest in various soccer-related paths after retirement, such as broadcasting and coaching.

"From a player's perspective, there are times when I hear commentators say things I don't necessarily agree with," he remarked. "As a player watching, I sometimes think, 'That's not quite right,' but those are things you can only truly understand once you step into that seat."

He added, "Watching you do broadcasting makes me think I'd like to try it too, and watching a lot of football also gives me the desire to pursue coaching."

Ji made his professional debut with the Chunnam Dragons in 2010 and took his first steps onto the European stage in 2011 by joining Sunderland AFC in the English Premier League.

Between 2013 and 2021, he plied his trade across Germany with clubs including FC Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund, Darmstadt, Mainz, and Eintracht Braunschweig.

Ji returned to the K League by signing with FC Seoul in 2021 and subsequently played for Suwon FC from 2024 to 2025. He later joined Australia's Macarthur FC in 2025, playing there until May 2026.

On the international stage, Ji represented South Korea in 55 senior caps, netting 11 goals.

                                                                                                             Jeong A-reum