2025 Season Preview: Gimcheon Sangmu FC | OneFootball

With the off-the-field issues regarding the future of Sangmu FC’s home base being resolved on Monday—following the news that they will be staying in Gimcheon for the next two seasons—the team can now focus on their on-the-pitch performance. They will be looking for more of the same as they head into a second consecutive season in K League 1, following their impressive third-place finish last year. K League United’s Stuart Warren previews the season ahead.

Last Season

18W-9D-11L, 3rd

What happened?

After securing promotion in 2023 by winning the K League 2 title—finishing just one point ahead of runners-up Busan IPark—many expected Gimcheon to struggle at the wrong end of the table last season. This was especially true given their reputation as a "yo-yo club," having bounced between the top two divisions over the past four seasons. However, they defied expectations with a highly impressive season, mounting an unexpected title challenge before eventually fading and finishing in third place.

The season started perfectly for the military side, as they snatched a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Daegu FC in their opening game. They then embarked on an impressive run, losing just two of their first 15 matches and propelling themselves to the top of the table.

While many doubted their staying power, Gimcheon continued to grind out results. For a long stretch, they even looked like potential title contenders. However, they eventually lost momentum and finished in a highly creditable third place behind champions Ulsan HD and another surprise package, Gangwon FC.

A solid defense was the foundation of their success, as they led the league in clean sheets, finishing with 17 over the course of the season. In attack, Lee Dong-gyeong enjoyed a strong start to his Gimcheon career, netting five goals in just over half a season after joining from Ulsan HD in April. He was supported by winger Kim Dae-won, who also scored five goals and contributed eight assists.

Notable Moves

With the new intake of players completing their military service not arriving until April 7—three weeks into the season—there is some frustration that they won’t be able to link up with the squad sooner. Nevertheless, the list of incoming players is reported to be:

Go Jae-hyun (Daegu FC)Kim Yi-seok (Gangwon FC)Kim Joo-chan (Suwon Samsung Bluewings)Kim Tae-hwan (Jeju United)Moon Hyun-ho (Ulsan HD)Park Se-jin (Daegu FC)Park Cheol-woo (Suwon FC)Park Tae-jun (Gwangju FC)Baek Jong-beom (FC Seoul)Lee Soo-bin (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)Lee Jeong-taek (Daejeon Hana Citizen)Lee Chan-wook (Gyeongnam FC)Jeon Byeong-kwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)

At this stage, it is difficult to predict which players will have the biggest impact, given the large intake joining an already established squad. However, one player to watch is winger Jeon Byung-kwan.

At the end of the 2023 season, Jeon was highly sought-after, with FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers among his suitors. In the end, he opted to leave Daejeon Hana Citizen to join Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Last season, he scored five goals and registered two assists—numbers he will be eager to improve upon in the upcoming campaign.

Key Players

One of Gimcheon’s standout performers last season was midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong, who notched five goals in 19 appearances. He is expected to be a key attacking threat again this year. However, his military service ends in October, meaning he will return to Ulsan HD on October 26.

Among the incoming players, one who could be crucial to Gimcheon’s success is Daegu FC attacker Go Jae-hyun. He enjoyed prolific 2022 and 2023 seasons, scoring a combined 23 goals. However, he struggled in 2024, finishing with just two goals. Many believe that a change of scenery could help him rediscover his form. If he does, he will be a key part of Gimcheon’s attack this season.

Young Player to Watch

One young player aiming to make a bigger impact this season is midfielder Lee Seung-won. After winning the Bronze Ball at the 2023 U-20 World Cup, expectations were high for the Gangwon FC prospect. However, his club career has started more slowly than his international one.

A central midfielder with excellent passing range, Lee joined Gimcheon in April last year and made eight league appearances, scoring his first senior goal in September. Turning 22 in March, he still has plenty of time to develop, and many expect him to make a bigger impact in 2025.

Biggest Question

The biggest question facing Gimcheon this season is whether they can replicate last year’s success. Predicting their performance is always challenging, as it largely depends on how well the new intake integrates into the squad. However, their fanbase will hope that the team can carry last season’s momentum forward.