Yoo Byung-Soo (Korean: 유병수; born 26 March 1988) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays for as a striker for Thai club Chiangmai.
He has been nicknamed the "Ronaldo of Wolmido", because of his spinless free-kick that resembles that of Cristiano Ronaldo's. Wolmido is a small park in Incheon city, where he started his professional career.
Club career
Youth career
Yoo entered Dunchun Middle School, scoring at least one goal in nearly every match he played in. Then he entered Unnam High School, winning the top scorer award in a couple of national competitions. After graduating from high school, he decided to enter Hong-Ik University, winning the top assists award in National University Competition. Thus having grabbed the attention of many scouts, he joined K-League side Incheon United.
Incheon United
In the pre-season, Incheon sold its franchise star striker Bang Seung-Hwan to Jeju United. This transfer worried many Incheon fans as they had already sold another striker Dženan Radončić to Seongnam Ilhwa. However, Incheon's newly appointed manager Ilija Petković said that Yoo Byung-Soo could be the replacement, and he can develop into a new franchise star for Incheon.
On 3 March 2009, Yoo scored in his senior debut match against Busan I'Park. In his debut season in K-League, he was widely regarded as one of the best candidates for the Rookie of the Season award but eventually Gangwon FC's forward Kim Young-Hoo grabbed the award. In November 2009, he was linked with Premier League side Bolton Wanderers.[1]
In the 2010 K-League season, he scored 22 goals in 28 appearances, and was named 2010 K-League top scorer, Yoo signed a contract extension with Incheon United, running until 2013.[2]
Al Hilal
In July 2011, Yoo signed a new contract with the Asian club of the century, Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, running until 2014. He scored a total of 16 goals while playing 44 league matches in two seasons for the Riyadh-based team.
Rostov
On 22 June 2013, Al Hilal announced that Yoo had agreed on a transfer to a Russian Premier League side FC Rostov.[3]
Return to Korea
In 2017, Yoo joined Gimpo Citizen FC for public service work. During August 2018, Yoo spent time on trial with A-League side Wellington Phoenix; scoring in a 5–0 friendly victory over Napier City Rovers on 24 August.[4]
In 2019, Yoo signed with K3 League team Hwaseong FC.[5]
International career
On 3 June 2009, Yoo played his first senior game for the South Korea national team against Oman, as a second-half substitute.
He was selected to take part in the Asian Cup 2011 in Qatar.[6]
Career statistics
- As of 22 January 2016
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Incheon United | 2009 | K-League | 27 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | – | – | 35 | 14 | ||
| 2010 | 28 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 25 | ||||
| 2011 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 13 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 67 | 37 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 43 | ||
| Al-Hilal | 2011–12 | Saudi Professional League | 20 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 18 |
| 2012–13 | 24 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 11 | ||
| Total | 44 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 73 | 29 | ||
| Rostov | 2013–14 | Russian Premier League | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 19 | 2 | |||
| 2014–15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | – | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 2015–16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 28 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 139 | 56 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 186 | 75 | ||
Honours
Al-Hilal
Rostov
Notes
- ^ Includes Korean FA Cup, Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Russian Cup.
- ^ Includes K-League Cup, Saudi Champions Cup.
References
- ^ "Wanderers line up another raid on South Korea". Bolton News. 12 November 2009.
- ^ "인천UTD, 유병수와 2013년까지 계약 연장" (in Korean). Incheon United. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Yoo Byung Soo transferred to the Russian team "Rostov"". Al Hilal news. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Korea international triallist impresses Nix boss Rudan". A-League. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ "서른한 살 된 '월미도 호날두' 유병수 "욕심 내려놓고 다시 시작" (in Korean)". Kukmin Ilbo. Kukmin Ilbo. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ "Cho names Korea Rep 23 for AFC Asian Cup". The AFC. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
External links
- Yoo Byung-soo – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean)
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