![]() Koo withSouth Korea in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Koo Ja-cheol[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1989-02-27)27 February 1989 (age 36) | ||
Place of birth | Nonsan,Chungnam, South Korea | ||
Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
2004–2006 | Boin High School [ko] | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2011 | Jeju United | 70 | (7) |
2011–2014 | VfL Wolfsburg | 32 | (0) |
2012–2013 | →FC Augsburg (loan) | 36 | (8) |
2014–2015 | Mainz 05 | 39 | (6) |
2015–2019 | FC Augsburg | 104 | (14) |
2019–2021 | Al-Gharafa | 38 | (6) |
2021 | Al-Khor | 8 | (0) |
2022–2024 | Jeju United | 28 | (1) |
International career | |||
2007–2009 | South Korea U20 | 16 | (5) |
2009–2012 | South Korea U23 | 16 | (5) |
2008–2019 | South Korea | 76 | (19) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 November 2024 (UTC) |
Koo Ja-cheol | |
Hangul | 구자철 |
---|---|
Hanja | 具滋哲 |
Revised Romanization | Gu Ja-cheol |
McCune–Reischauer | Ku Cha-ch'ŏl |
Also spelled Gu Ja-chul or Ku Ja-chul |
Koo Ja-cheol (Korean: 구자철;Korean pronunciation:[ku.dʑa.tɕʰʌl] or[ku][tɕa.tɕʰʌl]; born 27 February 1989) is a South Korean former professionalfootballer who played as amidfielder. Koo is one of the three most successful South Korean players with careers in the GermanBundesliga, alongsideCha Bum-kun andSon Heung-min.[3] He played forVfL Wolfsburg,FC Augsburg andMainz 05 with 211 Bundesliga appearances.[4] He also captained the South Korea national team in the2012 Summer Olympics and the2014 FIFA World Cup, and won a bronze medal in the Summer Olympics.
Koo started football at age ten when a nearby elementary school opened its football club. During his early youth career, he mostly played as a defender, often taking sweeper role. However, he wasn't particularly outstanding and the fact he suffered from anemia also hindered him from gaining attention. In 2006, as a member of Boin High School, Koo participated in the Baekrok High School Football Competition that is annually held inJeju Island. Leading Boin High School to a runner-up place with an outstanding performance, he grabbed the attention ofJung Hae-seong, who was then the manager ofJeju United.
In 2007, Koo was selected by Jeju United in theK League draft. He failed to make an impression in his first two years at Jeju due to numerous injuries. However, he slowly broke into the first team, mostly playing as adefensive midfielder. In January 2010, he was reportedly invited byBlackburn Rovers for a trial, but the move didn't happen.[5] He spent a great season in 2010 at Jeju instead, driving his club to an unprecedented runner-up position. His contribution also enabled him to gain personal honors such as theTop Assists Award, theFANtastic Player Award, and theBest XI.
On 30 January 2011, Koo successfully moved toVfL Wolfsburg during the winter transfer window, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[6] On 12 February 2011, Koo made his Wolfsburg debut againstHamburger SV, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute in the 1–0 home defeat.[7] However, he had difficulty competing for places in the starting line-up during a year.
On 31 January 2012, he moved on loan to the league rivalsFC Augsburg.[8][9] On 18 February, he scored the equaliser outside the penalty area, but Augsburg lost 4–1 toBayer Leverkusen.[10] On 17 March, he scored the equaliser with a lob outside the penalty area, and his goal contributed to a 2–1 victory againstMainz 05.[11] On 24 March, he assisted the equaliser, leading team's 1–1 draw againstWerder Bremen.[12] On 31 March, he scored the opening goal with a low shot outside the penalty area, contributing to a 2–1 victory against1. FC Köln.[13] On 7 April, he scored the equaliser throughManuel Neuer's legs, but his goal couldn't prevent a 2–1 loss toBayern Munich.[14] On 5 May, he scored the winning goal with a header in a 1–0 victory against Hamburger SV.[15] During his loan period, he scored five goals and provided two assists in 15 appearances, becoming Augsburg's top goalscorer, although he played only half a season for them.[16] He performed a significant part in helping Augsburg to escape relegation in their maiden season in the Bundesliga.[17]
In his second season at Augsburg, Koo was plagued by injuries, but he still helped his club survive relegation in the limited games he played in. In a DFB-Pokal match, he was involved in an altercation with Bayern Munich's midfielderFranck Ribéry. After a disputed free kick he confronted Ribéry and touched his face, in response Ribéry slapped Koo.[18] RefereeThorsten Kinhöfer gave Koo a yellow card and sent off Ribéry. Bayern Munich directorKarl-Heinz Rummenigge demanded that the ejection be overturned, while Bayern's coachJupp Heynckes blamed both Koo and Ribéry, stating that although Koo had provoked Ribéry the latter should learn to not react under pressure.[19]
In the2013–14 season, he returned to Wolfsburg, and played as acentral midfielder orwinger. However, he wanted more appearances, and preferred playing as anattacking midfielder like when he played for Augsburg.[20][21] On 18 January 2014, it was announced that Koo penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with Mainz 05.[22] In the2014–15 season, however, he was used as a winger again to replaceEric Maxim Choupo-Moting andNicolai Müller, who left Mainz 05.[23] On 31 July 2014, he contributed to a 1–0 victory by assisting the winning goal againstAsteras Tripoli in the third qualifying round of the2014–15 UEFA Europa League.[24] On 7 August, he scored his first Europa League goal, but Mainz 05 were eliminated from the tournament after losing the second leg 3–1 to Asteras Tripoli.[25] He recorded five goals and two assists during 23 appearances in the2014–15 Bundesliga.[26]
On 31 August 2015, Koo rejoined Augsburg, and so Augsburg spent a season with three South Korean players, includingJi Dong-won andHong Jeong-ho.[27] On 12 September, he assisted the opening goal with a backheel pass in the first half, but Augsburg lost 2–1 to Bayern Munich after conceding two goals in the second half.[28] On 23 September, he won a penalty againstGranit Xhaka, but it was insufficient to reverse Augsburg's defeat toBorussia Mönchengladbach.[29] On 21 February 2016, he scored a solo goal againstHannover 96 and it became the winning goal.[30] On 6 March, he scored Augsburg's first-ever Bundesliga hat-trick,[31] but Augsburg failed to protect their 3–0 lead by drawing 3–3 with Bayer Leverkusen.[32] He recorded eight goals and four assists with 29 appearances in the2015–16 Bundesliga.[33] He also participated in the2015–16 UEFA Europa League, the first UEFA competition in Augsburg's history.[34] Augsburg recorded three wins and three losses in the group stage, and succeeded in advancing to the knockout stage.[35] Afterwards, they lost 1–0 on aggregate toLiverpool in the round of 32.[36] After the2015–16 season, he was ranked fifth in the attacking midfielder rankings of the German sports magazinekicker.[37]
On 3 February 2020, he achieved his 200th Bundesliga appearance against Mainz 05. He left Augsburg by turning down a contract extension with the club after the2018–19 season.[38][39] He wanted to contract with one of the top teams of the Bundesliga,[40] but finally joinedQatar Stars League sideAl-Gharafa in August 2019.[41]
Koo played a central role in helpingSouth Korea finish third in the2011 AFC Asian Cup, with five goals and three assists over the tournament, finishing as the tournament's top scorer.[42]
During the2012 Summer Olympics, Koo played as a central midfielder in theSouth Korea under-23 team. He appeared in every game in the tournament, and scored the second goal during the second half of the bronze medal match againstJapan, securing a 2–0 victory for Korea. The South Korean team won the bronze medal in football for the first time in its Olympics history and in doing so, became the second Asian team in the Olympics men's football to reach the semi-finals.[43]
He was named captain of the national team ahead of the2014 FIFA World Cup, and scored in a 4–2 defeat toAlgeria in the team's second group match.[44] He was selected for the 2015 Asian Cup and played a decisive role in South Korea's opening match, a 1–0 victory overOman, and was named man of the match.[45] In the match againstAustralia, Ja-cheol suffered an injury and missed the remainder of the tournament.
On 25 January 2019, Koo announced his retirement from international duty after South Korea lost in the quarter-finals of the2019 AFC Asian Cup.[46]
Koo showed his best performance when playing as anattacking midfielder, although he originally deployed as adefensive midfielder. He sometimes played as acentral midfielder,second striker, orwinger if necessary.[20][47] He was praised for his techniques, especially a talent for getting out of opponents' pressure, while keeping the ball.[48] He also had an ability to find the back of the net, often displaying a knack to charge into the opposition penalty box unsighted.[49] However, he was occasionally criticized that his individual ability slowed down his team's tempo.[48]
Koo likes to go shopping in his spare time inGermany.[50] He is currently the honorary ambassador for TheRepublic of Korea Air Force.[51] Koo is also a close friend with his teammateKi Sung-yueng, and they like to display their friendly, humorous conversations on Twitter. Ki revealed on the Korean talk showHealing Camp, Aren't You Happy that Koo has a nickname called "Koogle Georim" (구글거림) because of his sometimes goofy way of talking.[52] On 24 June 2013, Koo married a Jeju woman three years his senior at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel.[53][54]
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Jeju United | 2007 | K League | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 17 | 1 | |
2008 | K League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 14 | 0 | ||
2009 | K League | 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 30 | 3 | ||
2010 | K League | 29 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 | 5 | ||
Total | 70 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 1 | — | 95 | 9 | |||
VfL Wolfsburg | 2010–11 | Bundesliga | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||
2011–12 | Bundesliga | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
2013–14 | Bundesliga | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
Total | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 0 | ||||
FC Augsburg (loan) | 2011–12 | Bundesliga | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 5 | ||
2012–13 | Bundesliga | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 3 | |||
Total | 36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 8 | ||||
Mainz 05 | 2013–14 | Bundesliga | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||
2014–15 | Bundesliga | 23 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 2[a] | 1 | 26 | 7 | ||
2015–16 | Bundesliga | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
Total | 39 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 42 | 8 | |||
FC Augsburg | 2015–16 | Bundesliga | 27 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — | 8[a] | 0 | 36 | 8 | |
2016–17 | Bundesliga | 23 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 25 | 3 | |||
2017–18 | Bundesliga | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 2 | |||
2018–19 | Bundesliga | 26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 2 | |||
Total | 104 | 14 | 6 | 1 | — | 8 | 0 | 118 | 15 | |||
Al-Gharafa | 2019–20 | Qatar Stars League | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 19 | 1 | |
2020–21 | Qatar Stars League | 20 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6[b] | 2 | 1[c] | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
Total | 38 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 8 | ||
Al-Khor | 2021–22 | Qatar Stars League | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |
Jeju United | 2022 | K League 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 1 | ||
2023 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||||
2024 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
Total | 28 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 30 | 2 | ||||
Career total | 355 | 42 | 20 | 4 | 28 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 414 | 50 |
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea | 2008 | 2 | 0 |
2010 | 8 | 2 | |
2011 | 15 | 7 | |
2012 | 3 | 1 | |
2013 | 6 | 2 | |
2014 | 8 | 1 | |
2015 | 8 | 3 | |
2016 | 7 | 2 | |
2017 | 8 | 1 | |
2018 | 7 | 0 | |
2019 | 4 | 0 | |
Career total | 76 | 19 |
No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 January 2010 | Rand Stadium,Johannesburg, South Africa | 3 | ![]() | 2–4 | 2–4 | Friendly |
2 | 7 February 2010 | National Olympic Stadium,Tokyo, Japan | 6 | ![]() | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2010 EAFF Championship |
3 | 10 January 2011 | Thani bin Jassim Stadium,Doha, Qatar | 11 | ![]() | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
4 | 2–0 | ||||||
5 | 14 January 2011 | Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar | 12 | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
6 | 18 January 2011 | Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar | 13 | ![]() | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
7 | 28 January 2011 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | 16 | ![]() | 1–0 | 3–2 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
8 | 7 June 2011 | Jeonju World Cup Stadium,Jeonju, South Korea | 19 | ![]() | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
9 | 15 November 2011 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium,Beirut, Lebanon | 25 | ![]() | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
10 | 12 June 2012 | Goyang Sports Complex,Goyang, South Korea | 28 | ![]() | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
11 | 6 September 2013 | Sungeui Arena Park,Incheon, South Korea | 31 | ![]() | 2–1 | 4–1 | Friendly |
12 | 15 October 2013 | Cheonan Baekseok Stadium,Cheonan, South Korea | 34 | ![]() | 1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
13 | 22 June 2014 | Estádio Beira-Rio,Porto Alegre, Brazil | 39 | ![]() | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup |
14 | 27 March 2015 | Daejeon World Cup Stadium,Daejeon, South Korea | 45 | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
15 | 8 October 2015 | Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium,Kuwait City, Kuwait | 48 | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
16 | 12 November 2015 | Suwon World Cup Stadium,Suwon, South Korea | 50 | ![]() | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
17 | 1 September 2016 | Seoul World Cup Stadium,Seoul, South Korea | 52 | ![]() | 3–0 | 3–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
18 | 15 November 2016 | Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea | 57 | ![]() | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
19 | 14 November 2017 | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium,Ulsan, South Korea | 65 | ![]() | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
South Korea U23
South Korea
Individual