National team goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has left his South Korean club to join a Japanese side.
Vissel Kobe in the top-flight J1 League announced on their website Tuesday they've acquired the 25-year-old custodian. Kim's former K League Classic club, Ulsan Hyundai, also announced Kim's departure, saying he commanded the largest amount of transfer fee for a South Korean goalkeeper, without giving specifics.
Kim had spent his entire eight-year professional career with Ulsan. He'd moved up Ulsan's youth system before making his K League debut in 2008.
Kim has appeared in 18 matches for South Korea, allowing a dozen goals. He made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2014 against Belgium, South Korea's final group stage match in Sao Paulo. Kim held his ground against the European giants, but South Korea fell 1-0.
"I've been with Ulsan for 13 years, counting my youth years, and moving to another club hasn't hit me yet," Kim said through Ulsan. "I received more love and support from the fans than I deserved. I will continue to follow Ulsan in Japan."
On Vissel Kobe's website, Kim was quoted as saying: "This will be my first stint overseas, and I'd like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity. It's a great honor to be with the club, and I can't wait to take the field and meet our fans."
Vissel Kobe finished 13th among 18 J1 League clubs last year.
Another South Korea international, midfielder Jung Woo-young, served as captain in 2015, but he has been linked to a Chinese club this offseason. (Yonhap)
