Soccer Player Park Jisoo Joins Portugal Following Bento's Recommendation

Qatar World Cup National Team Elimination Turns into a Blessing in Disguise

National team soccer player Park Ji-soo (29) is also heading to Europe.

Park Ji-soo was included among the five players signed during the winter transfer period announced on the official website of Portimonense, a Portuguese Primeira Liga club. Following Kim Min-jae, who plays for Napoli in Italy, another European-based center back has emerged.

[Photo by Korea Football Association]

Although specific contract terms have not been disclosed, local media speculate that he likely signed a one-and-a-half-year contract until June next year.

Defender Park Ji-soo injured his ankle in a friendly match held just before the announcement of the 2022 Qatar World Cup national team roster and was unable to make the final squad.

Park Ji-soo's move to the Portuguese league is said to have been facilitated by former national team coach Bento. At the signing press conference, Park Ji-soo expressed his gratitude, saying, "Coach Bento played in the Portuguese league and also holds Portuguese nationality, so I felt familiar with him. I heard that Bento spoke with the Portimonense coach."

Park Ji-soo began his professional career in 2013 by joining K League 1 club Incheon United but was released without making an appearance. He then moved to FC Uijeongbu in the fourth division and returned to the K League after a year by signing with second division club Gyeongnam FC. In 2019, he transferred to Guangzhou Evergrande in China. Afterward, he served his military duty while on loan at Suwon FC from Sangmu, and upon completing his service, he became a free agent this winter.

Portimonense is a club that striker Lee Seung-woo briefly played for in 2021. Currently, the club ranks 12th (20 points) among the 18 teams in the Primeira Liga (first division). Park Ji-soo will play alongside U-20 national team striker Kim Yong-hak and Japanese goalkeeper Nakamura Kosuke, among others.