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Fullname: Ki Sung-Yong
Born: 24 January 1989
Birthplace: Gwangju, South Korea
Signed: 1st Jan 2010
Position: Midfielder
Internationals: South Korea
International Caps: 18 [to date]
International Goals: 4 [to date]

Biog

Highly rated midfielder Ki Sung-Yong joined the Hoops in January 2010 when he completed a reported £2.1 million move from FC Seoul.

Although the deal to bring Ki to Glasgow from South Korea was initially agreed in August 2009 the switch wasn't officially ratified until January 1st. A star performer with Seoul in the K-League the 20-year-old had attracted interest from various European clubs including English Premiership side Portsmouth. It was Celtic though that won the race to bring Ki to Europe and the South Korean ace would make his Hoops debut on January 16th when he started the SPL clash against Falkirk at Parkhead.

Ki's football education really began in Australia having been sent by his family in 2001 to John Paul College in Logan City, Queensland. While in Australia he helped his college side to the national title before eventually being tempted back to Korea by FC Seoul in 2005.

It would be at FC Seoul that he really made his name and would quickly gain international honours at Under-20 and Under-23 levels before winning his first full cap on June 7th 2008 when he played in the World Cup qualifier against Jordan. Ki's career continued to progress and he was now regarded as one of Asia's most promising football talents. This potential was underlined when Ki was named as Asian Young Footballer of The Year 2009.

Playing Career

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Honours

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KDS Honours
MOTM Winners 2009-10
16-Jan-10	Celtic 1-1 Falkirk	SPL

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Articles

(Official)

CELTIC Football Club is delighted to announce that South Korean Internationalist, Ki Sung Yueng, has agreed a contract for up to four years with the club and will join Celtic on January 1 2010.

The player was granted the required work permit on Friday and is expected to join up with the squad towards the end of December.

Ki, aged just 20, has recently been named the Asian Young Player of the Year and has made 17 international appearances, playing in every game in South Korea's World Cup qualifying campaign on route to qualification for South Africa 2010.

Ki Sung Yueng commented: “I am absolutely delighted to sign for Celtic, a football club with a tremendous history and one which is known throughout the world.

“I know that Celtic has some of the best supporters in the world and I will be doing all I can to show these fans what I can do and give everything as part of a team which will aim to achieve more and more success.

“When I lived in Australia, my football coach there was a Celtic supporter and through him I really became interested in the club.

“It is now a dream come true for me to join this great club - already, Celtic has shown me a tremendous welcome and I really do now feel part of the Celtic family. I look forward to teaming up with my new manager and team mates and I will be working hard towards achieving all I can for Celtic.”

Celtic Manager Tony Mowbray is delighted with the player's capture, adding: “We are very pleased to announce the signing of Ki and we are sure he is a player who has the potential to make an impact at Celtic.

“We have watched the player in action already and believe that he has some real qualities. He is a young man, but someone who we believe has the ability and character to do well for the club. We will be doing all we can to ensure that he can fulfill his potential at Celtic.”

Celtic's Chief Executive commented: “Celtic looks forward to welcoming Ki Sung Yueng to Scotland, we are sure he is someone who will be a positive addition to the squad.

“The Celtic Board will continue to do all that it can to support Tony's plans in terms of strengthening the squad.”