Eintracht Frankfurt Snap Up South Korean Centre-Back Yundo Kim in Surprise Move

Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed the signing of 22-year-old South Korean defender Yundo Kim, who joins their U21 (second team) setup ahead of the 2025/26 season. The move marks Kim’s third stint in Germany and represents a significant step forward in a nomadic young career that has taken him across Asia and Europe.

Kim most recently featured for FC Gießen in the fourth tier of German football, making nine appearances during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign. Prior to that, he played for Cheonan City in K League 2, registering three senior outings. He also has experience at youth level in Germany with FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt and has had a professional spell in Malaysia with Perak FC in 2023.

Standing at 1.90 metres, Kim is a physically imposing centre-back known for his man-marking ability and recovery pace. Despite his age, he has already played in multiple footballing environments and is seen as a player with significant untapped potential.

Speaking on the signing, Nino Berndroth, Director of Squad Planning for U17-U21 at Eintracht Frankfurt, said:

“With Yundo Kim, we are adding a centre-back who will bolster our U21 side, especially in one-on-one defensive situations thanks to his physicality and speed. Even at a young age, Yundo has gathered valuable experience across several countries. Here, he will have the opportunity to grow both athletically and personally and take important steps in his development.”

While Eintracht Frankfurt II are set to compete in Germany’s fifth tier next season following relegation, the move offers Kim a chance to develop within one of the Bundesliga’s most respected talent incubators. The club has gained recognition in recent years for nurturing young talent and facilitating moves to Europe’s elite clubs.

Names such as Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Filip Kostić (Juventus), Sébastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund), and Luka Jović (AC Milan) have all passed through Frankfurt en route to bigger stages. Most recently, Willian Pacho (also PSG) and Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) have continued that tradition, illustrating the club’s growing stature as a platform for emerging stars.

Frankfurt’s strong track record and UEFA Champions League qualification for the upcoming season underline the ambition and pedigree of the club. Should Kim impress in the Regionalliga, he could follow in the footsteps of compatriots like Girona’s Min-Soo Kim, who was handed a shock Champions League debut last season after an injury crisis promoted his call-up.

Kim’s signing may not have made headlines in Korea, but his journey is one to watch — a quiet arrival in Germany’s footballing heartland, with the potential to become a notable chapter in the Bundesliga’s continued story of international discovery.