Seung-ho
Paik
South Korea
·
Soccer (Football)
Date of birth | March 17, 1997 |
|---|---|
Age | 29 |
Nationality | South Korea |
Discipline | Soccer (standard) |
Paik Seung-ho started playing soccer at the age of six, initially as a hobby, but quickly realised he had a knack for the game. As a third grader in elementary school, he transferred to Daedong Elementary School, a ‘prestigious soccer school’, and immediately forced his way into the first team.
Learning his trade in Europe
The talented young student won the Best Male Player award from the Korea Football Association and in 2009 participated in the first Korea-Catalonia Youth Cup. There, the FC Barcelona youth team coach noticed him at the competition and Paik received a contract offer. In April 2010, he transferred to FC Barcelona's youth team as a top-notch prospect.
He made his professional debut in 2016 for FC Barcelona B before stints at Spanish clubs Peralada and Girona. He then excelled in Germany, playing for SV Darmstadt 98.
Success on home soil
In 2021, Paik secured a move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in his homeland of South Korea. He immediately enjoyed success with the club, helping them win the league title in 2021 and then the Korean FA Cup in 2022.
A high-profile move to England
Due to his impressive performances, he returned to Europe in January of 2024, joining English Championship club Birmingham City. Despite the team being relegated in his first season, he was a standout performer throughout the 2024/25 campaign as the club won the League One title and secured an immediate return to the Championship.
Excelling for South Korea
Away from club football, Paik earned his first cap for the South Korean national team in 2019 and in 2022 helped his country secure a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games. He also played at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring against Brazil in the last-16 – a strike that was nominated for goal of the tournament.
Four years later, he returned to the biggest stage, playing in all three group games for South Korea at the 2026 World Cup.