Seoul: Continuing their winter squad overhaul, South Korean football champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have acquired former national team defender Park Ji-soo.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 31-year-old center back joins the 2025 K League 1 champions after spending the past three years playing in Portugal and China. Park last played in South Korea with the military club, Gimcheon Sangmu FC, in 2022. He has collected 16 international caps and previously represented South Korea on the under-17 and under-23 national teams.

Jeonbuk expressed optimism about Park's addition to the team, stating, "As a proven defender with great leadership skills, Park Ji-soo will further strengthen our defense and help us win the league title in 2026. He is excellent in man-to-man marking and is also capable of building up plays from the back to create scoring chances."

Park emphasized his commitment to the club, saying he has a clear understanding of Jeonbuk's "philosophy of winning" and added, "I will dedicate myself to playing tough defense every match so that I can make our fans feel proud."

In 2025, Jeonbuk demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, conceding the fewest goals among the 12 teams in the K League 1, with only 32 in 38 matches. They were the only club to allow fewer than a goal per match.

After winning both the K League 1 title and the Korea Cup trophy, Jeonbuk have undergone significant changes, including the appointment of new head coach Chung Jung-yong, replacing Gus Poyet who resigned after one season. The club has also parted ways with veteran center backs Park Jin-seob and Hong Jeong-ho, as well as star midfielders Song Min-kyu and Kwon Chang-hoon.