South Korean women’s soccer sensation Ji So-yeon is headed to the United States to play in the top tier of women’s soccer.
On July 25 (KST), Seattle Reign announced on their official website, “We have signed South Korean midfielder Ji So-yeon to a contract through 2025. A transfer fee agreement has been reached with Suwon FC. She will join the team for preseason as soon as she receives her visa.”
Ji So-yeon is the face of South Korean women’s soccer. As an amateur, she became the youngest player ever to be named to the national team in 2006 at the age of 15, and made a name for herself at the 2010 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she led South Korea to the quarterfinals, winning the Silver Ball (runner-up for MVP) and Silver Shoe (second in goals).
He began his professional soccer career in 2011 with Kobe Leonesa in Japan, where he was instrumental in helping the club win three consecutive league and cup titles. He then moved to England with Chelsea Women, where he spent eight years at the peak of his powers, winning five league titles, four FA Cups, and two League Cups, as well as the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year in the 2014-2015 season and being named Team of the Year five times.
In 2022, he challenged for the WK League with Suwon FC Wimin, where he led the team to a second-place finish and was named MVP of the WK League playoffs. However, it was not to be as the Suwon FC Wimin finished as runners-up to the Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels in the championship game.
This time, he chose a new challenge by joining Seattle Reign. The Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) was founded in 2012 and has been in the league since 2013, but has yet to win a championship. In the 2023 season, they qualified for the NWSL playoffs with a fourth-place finish in the regular season and made it all the way to the final, but had to settle for runner-up honors after losing to NJ/NY Gotham FC.
“Signing a player of Ji-So-Yeon’s caliber and experience is one of the most important moments in our organization’s history,” said Seattle Reign Head Coach Leslie Gallimore. She brings a unique style, seasoned leadership, and a great understanding of the game. We look forward to introducing her to the team and getting to know our fans.”
Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ji-So-Yeon to the team. She is a proven winner who can play in a variety of ways on the field.”
In a video posted on the Seattle Reign’s official social media accounts, Ji said, “I’m excited to join the Seattle Reign. I can’t wait to start the season with the team,” she said in a video posted on the team’s official social media accounts.