Daejeon's homegrown teenager Kim Ji-ho moves to Red Bull Salzburg

A 17-year-old from Daejeon is heading to one of Europe's best talent factories. Winger Kim Ji-ho has moved from K League 1 side Daejeon Hana Citizen to Austria's Red Bull Salzburg, the club announced on 12 November.

What makes it special is his path. Kim didn't arrive from another club. He started in Daejeon's under-12 side, moved up through the under-15 and under-18 teams, and then signed a semi-pro contract. Daejeon call that a true homegrown story, and say it means a lot to the club and its fans.

Daejeon say it is their fourth move to Europe since Hana Financial Group (a major South Korean banking group) took over the club in 2020.

On the pitch, Kim is a 188 cm winger with top-level speed and acceleration despite his height. He is also good at beating defenders with simple, neat dribbling, and he can shoot hard with either foot.

Salzburg is known as a finishing school for young stars. Hwang Hee-chan, who joined the club's system in 2015, went on to make his name there, and players like Erling Haaland and Sadio Mané also passed through. Now Kim gets his own chance to follow that path.