The world of English women’s football has welcomed a Korean player for the first time in Korean football history.
Ji So-yun, an attacking midfielder, joined Chelsea Ladies Football Club (Chelsea L.F.C.) on February 5 with a two-year deal, becoming the first Korean woman to play in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), the highest division of women’s football in England.
The 22-year-old footballer was given a Chelsea uniform with the number “10” and her name “SO YUN” at the official joining ceremony. Under her contract, Ji will play with the Chelsea L.F.C. in the upcoming 2014 WSL season, competing against the other seven high-ranked teams from April to October.
Ji made her debut at the age of 15 in 2006 as a member of the Korean women’s national football team. Since then, she has represented her nation in 55 matches and has scored 26 goals.
The midfielder joined INAC Kobe Leonessa, a Japanese women’s football team, in December 2012, and helped lead the team to become cup-holders in a series of football leagues.
In 2012, Ji, still affiliated with the Japanese team, helped defeat Chelsea Ladies with one goal and one assist, in the final of the International Women’s Club Championship (IWCC) in Tokyo. The victory earned her the MVP of the year award.
“I can’t find the words to describe how glad I am to join this wonderful team,” said Ji during a press conference. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in the European leagues. This is a dream-come-true moment for me.”
Ji’s move to Chelsea was made possible by Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes. Hayes was mesmerized upon seeing Ji, then a member of INAC Kobe Leonessa, playing in 2012. The next time she saw the player in 2013 in the IWCC final between her team and the Japanese team, the manager gave Ji a note saying, “I want to see you in England.”
“I’ve been closely watching Ji since the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup,” said Hayes at the press conference. Ji, she said, is special and is a great fit for Chelsea Ladies, as she’s a player who can handle the ball in a calm and decisive manner.
“If she were a player in a country like German or the U.S., that has seen women’s football develop much more over the past few years, Ji would be playing now with much bigger teams. I am so delighted to welcome Ji to our club and I’ve no doubt she will prove a big success in a Chelsea shirt,” the Chelsea Ladies manager added.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
Ji So-yun, an attacking midfielder, joined Chelsea Ladies Football Club (Chelsea L.F.C.) on February 5 with a two-year deal, becoming the first Korean woman to play in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), the highest division of women’s football in England.
Football player Ji So-yun (left) poses holding her new Chelsea uniform, with “SO YUN” and the number “10,” together with Emma Wilhemsson, the Swedish defender who joins the football club on the same day. (captured image from the Chelsea Ladies’ official website)
The 22-year-old footballer was given a Chelsea uniform with the number “10” and her name “SO YUN” at the official joining ceremony. Under her contract, Ji will play with the Chelsea L.F.C. in the upcoming 2014 WSL season, competing against the other seven high-ranked teams from April to October.
Ji made her debut at the age of 15 in 2006 as a member of the Korean women’s national football team. Since then, she has represented her nation in 55 matches and has scored 26 goals.
The midfielder joined INAC Kobe Leonessa, a Japanese women’s football team, in December 2012, and helped lead the team to become cup-holders in a series of football leagues.
In 2012, Ji, still affiliated with the Japanese team, helped defeat Chelsea Ladies with one goal and one assist, in the final of the International Women’s Club Championship (IWCC) in Tokyo. The victory earned her the MVP of the year award.
“I can’t find the words to describe how glad I am to join this wonderful team,” said Ji during a press conference. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in the European leagues. This is a dream-come-true moment for me.”
The Chelsea Ladies’ official website headlines Ji So-yun joining the football club. (captured image from the Chelsea Ladies’ official website)
Ji’s move to Chelsea was made possible by Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes. Hayes was mesmerized upon seeing Ji, then a member of INAC Kobe Leonessa, playing in 2012. The next time she saw the player in 2013 in the IWCC final between her team and the Japanese team, the manager gave Ji a note saying, “I want to see you in England.”
“I’ve been closely watching Ji since the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup,” said Hayes at the press conference. Ji, she said, is special and is a great fit for Chelsea Ladies, as she’s a player who can handle the ball in a calm and decisive manner.
“If she were a player in a country like German or the U.S., that has seen women’s football develop much more over the past few years, Ji would be playing now with much bigger teams. I am so delighted to welcome Ji to our club and I’ve no doubt she will prove a big success in a Chelsea shirt,” the Chelsea Ladies manager added.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
