Gijang United FC

Gijang United FC
Full nameGijang United Football Cluba
기장군민축구단
Founded9 January 2025 (9 January 2025)
GroundJeongwan Sports Healing Park
Capacity2200
OwnerGijang County Council
ChairmanJeong Jong-bok
(Governor of Gijang County)
ManagerChoi Jin-han
LeagueK4 League
Websitegijangunited.com

Gijang United FC (Korean: 기장군민축구단) commonly known as Gijang United is a semi-professional South Korean football club based in Gijang County, Busan. The club was founded in 2025 and plays in the K4 League, the fourth tier of football in South Korea.[1]

The team in unusual for a semi-professional or professional team in Korea in that they only recruit players with strong local ties.[2] According to their 2026 recruitment notice, players must meet at least one of three requirements before consideration for the team: [3]

  1. Was born in Gijang County
  2. Graduated elementary, middle or high school in Gijang County
  3. Have a parent who've lived in Gijang County for at least three years at the time of recruitment.

Also unusual about the team is that their emblem displays the English language name Gijang United FC, but their registered Korean name translates to Gijang Citizen FC.

History

Founding

The team was officially established on 9 January 2025[4] and started the process of recruiting coaching staff and playing staff on 15 January 2025.[5] The inauguration ceremony was only held on 21 March 2025, a day before their first home march.[6]

The club announced the appointment of their first manager, Choi Jin-han, on the 7 February 2025[7] and made their squad list public on 20 February.[8]

Inaugural season

The club's first official match was played on 22 February 2025, an away loss to Jinju Citizen FC.[9] Their first home game in the K4 League was on Sunday, 30 March 2025, a 3-1 win against Yeoncheon FC.[10] Although their first victory, it was their first league points as a club.

Gijang United FC's first official victory came in Round 1 of the Korea Cup against K5 League's Hyochang FC.[11] They exited the tournament when they suffered a decisive defeat in Round 2 against Gimpo FC.[12] On 28 May 2025 Gijang United earned the right to represent Busan in the National Sports Festival by beating them 2-0 at home. [13]

Although the team started the season slowly, they gained momentum and had the best second half record in the league. Before losing their final two matches, they managed to play 7 matches, recording 6 wins and a draw. Most of those matches were against the then title contenders. In a tight league table, the finished fifth, just two points behind the champions.

Players

Current squad

As of 18 March 2025[14][15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF  KOR Son Seung-hyeon
4 DF  KOR Bang Woo-jin
5 DF  KOR Lee Ju-seong
6 DF  KOR An Sang-jin
8 MF  KOR Sin Yun-ho
11 FW  KOR Kim Gyeong-gu
13 GK  KOR Kim Min-geun
14 DF  KOR Jeon Hyo-seok
(captain)
17 MF  KOR Lee Jang-hyeon
19 DF  KOR Choi Hyeon-bin
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 DF  KOR Gong Ho-won
21 MF  KOR Kim Min-jae
22 DF  KOR Lee Sang-jin
23 MF  KOR Yun Ju-hun
25 GK  KOR Kim Eun-do
44 MF  KOR No Seung-gi
70 MF  KOR Kim Dae-won
71 GK  KOR Kim Min-gyeol
72 DF  KOR Kim Jeong-su

Notes

^a Even thought their Emblem displays Gijang United, the teams's Korean name translate to Gijang Citizen Football Club.


References

  1. ^ "기장군민축구단 창설·철마면복지회관 리모델링...정 군수, 내년 군정운영계획 내놔" [Establishment of Gijang Citizen FC, remodelling of Cheolma-myeon Welfare Center... County head Chung lays out the county's plans for next year]. Jeonggwan Times (in Korean). December 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Kim, Hang-ryong (26 July 2025). "펄펄 난 '평창' 자책골 '기장'...기장군민축구단, 평창 원정 '뼈아픈 패배'" ['Pyeongchang' own goal 'Gijang'...Gijang Citizens' Football Team, 'painful defeat' in Pyeongchang away game] (in Korean). Gijang Times. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  3. ^ "2026 기장군민축구단 기장 지역 출신 선수 선발 테스트" [2026 Gijang-gun Folk Football Team selection test for players from the Gijang region]. Gijang United. Gijang United. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  4. ^ Bak, Il-gon (8 February 2025). "기장군, '기장군민축구단' 창단… 최진한 감독 선임" [Gijang-gun, 'Gijang-gun Citizens' Football Club' established... Choi Jin-han appointed as coach] (in Korean). Sisa Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  5. ^ "K4 기장군민축구단 단원 (감독, 코치, 선수) 모집 곱고" [Notice of training and playing staff recruitment]. Busan Football Association (in Korean). Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  6. ^ Kim, Hyun-ji (21 March 2025). "기장군, 기장군민축구단 창단식 개최" [Gijang-gun, Gijang-gun Citizens' Football Club Founding Ceremony Held] (in Korean). Busan Ilbo. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Busan Gijang-gun Citizens' Football Club's Foundation Begins in Full Swing... Appointment of Director and Coach". Newsis.com. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  8. ^ "2025 Squad List". Instagram. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Jinju Citizen vs Gijang United". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  10. ^ Kim, Hang-ryong (30 March 2025). "임예닮 개막전 축포...기장군민축구단 홈개막전서 첫승 선물" [Lim Ye-dam's opening ceremony celebration... Gijang-gun Citizens' Soccer Team presents its first win in the home opening game] (in Korean). Gijang Times. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  11. ^ "강영웅 멀티골...기장군민축구단 창단 '첫승'" [Kang Young-woong multi-goal...Gijang-gun Citizens' Football Club's 'first win' since its foundation] (in Korean). Gijang Times. 9 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  12. ^ Jo, Lee-Ho (25 March 2025). "김포FC, 기장전 4대 0으로 대승" [Gimpo FC wins 4-0 against Gijang] (in Korean). Gimpo News. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  13. ^ Kim, Hang-ryong (29 May 2025). "최진한 감독의 마법...기장군민축구단,전국체전 부산대표 됐다" [Director Choi Jin-han's magic... Gijang-gun Citizens' Soccer Team becomes Busan representative for National Sports Festival] (in Korean). Gijang Times. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  14. ^ "2025 Squad List". Instagram. Gijang United FC. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  15. ^ Kim, Eun-Cho (18 March 2025). "기장군민축구단, 노승기·손승현 영입" [Gijang County Citizens Football Club, Noh Seung-gi and Son Seung-hyeon recruited]. Gijang Times. Retrieved 19 March 2025.


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