Seoul: The reigning Korean Series MVP Kim Hyun-soo has switched clubs, signing with the KT Wiz as a free agent following eight seasons with the LG Twins. The Wiz have announced a three-year deal for the 37-year-old veteran, worth 5 billion won (US$3.4 million), which is fully guaranteed. The contract includes a 3 billion won signing bonus and a total salary of 2 billion won for the duration.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim is one of the most accomplished hitters in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history. He ranks third on the all-time list with 2,532 hits and 1,522 RBIs, second with 471 doubles, sixth with 2,221 games played, and seventh with 1,256 runs scored. With a lifetime batting average of .312, Kim is 11th on the career rankings among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances.

Kim began his KBO career with the Doosan Bears in 2006 and remained with them until 2015, after which he signed with the Baltimore Orioles for the 2016 season. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2017. Kim returned to the KBO with the Twins in 2018, where he won his second career batting title and contributed to the Twins' Korean Series championships in 2023 and 2025. During this year's title run, Kim batted .525, earning him the MVP honor.

He has maintained productivity and durability in his 30s, appearing in a KBO-best 1,090 games over the last eight seasons, and his 1,238 hits during this period are the second most in the league.

Wiz general manager Na Do-hyun praised Kim as one of the best hitters in the league, noting, "He is an exemplary veteran and we expect him to be our leader." Na also expressed optimism that Kim would perform well at KT Wiz Park, a more hitter-friendly environment than the Twins' home of Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

The Wiz missed the postseason in 2025 for the first time since 2019, ranking ninth with a .253 team batting average. Kim expressed gratitude to the Wiz for recognizing his value and apologized to both the Wiz and the Twins for the prolonged negotiations. He stated his commitment to leading by example and helping the team achieve success.

The Wiz have made a notable move in free agency after failing to secure two other All-Star players earlier. They pursued Park Chan-ho, the former Kia Tigers shortstop, who signed with the Bears, and center fielder Park Hae-min, who chose to remain with the Twins.