Kim Young-bin, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' new defender / Courtesy of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Thursday announced their signing of veteran center back Kim Young-bin, continuing their offseason effort to shore up a porous defense from last season.

Kim, 33, spent the past five seasons with Gangwon FC after splitting six years before that between Gwangju FC and Sangju Sangmu FC.

A former collegiate star, Kim has developed into one of the K League's steadiest defenders since his debut in 2014. He has logged 326 matches in all competitions over the past decade.

After finishing a disappointing 10th among 12 clubs in the K League 1 last season, Jeonbuk have kept busy this winter. Naming former Sunderland boss Gus Poyet as new head coach has been their biggest change, and they also brought back former goalkeeper Song Bum-keun, who played in Japan in the last two years following five seasons with Jeonbuk.

In 2024, Jeonbuk conceded a league-worst 59 goals in 38 matches, and their goal difference of -11 was the third-worst mark in the K League 1. Jeonbuk will now look to Kim to help the remaining core of defenders strengthen their back end.

"He is smart with his positioning and is the rare center back who can use both feet," Jeonbuk said. "His ability to make high-quality long passes will give us much tactical flexibility."

Kim said he was "pleased and honored" to embark on a new challenge at Jeonbuk.

"My whole career has been a series of challenges, and I've never once regretted taking them on," Kim added. "I am determined to prove my worth with Jeonbuk." (Yonhap)