Yoo Byung-soo

In this Korean name, the family name is Yoo.

Yoo Byung-Soo
유병수
Yoo in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-03-26) 26 March 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Daegu, South Korea
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2007–2008 Hongik University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Incheon United 67 (37)
2011–2013 Al-Hilal 44 (16)
2013–2016 Rostov 28 (3)
2017–2018 Gimpo Citizen 8 (8)
2019 Hwaseong FC 19 (7)
2020 MOF Customs United 4 (2)
2020–2021 Ayutthaya United 29 (20)
2021–2023 Chonburi 63 (21)
2023–2024 Chiangmai 22 (11)
International career
2010–2011 South Korea 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 September 2023
Yoo Byung-soo
Hangul
유병수
Hanja
兪炳守
Revised RomanizationYu Byeongsu
McCune–ReischauerYu Pyŏngsu

Yoo Byung-Soo (Korean: 유병수; born 26 March 1988) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a striker.

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
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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

  1. ^ Includes Korean FA Cup, Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Russian Cup.
  2. ^ Includes K-League Cup, Saudi Champions Cup.

References

  1. ^ "Wanderers line up another raid on South Korea". Bolton News. 12 November 2009.
  2. ^ "인천UTD, 유병수와 2013년까지 계약 연장" (in Korean). Incheon United. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Yoo Byung Soo transferred to the Russian team "Rostov"". Al Hilal news. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Korea international triallist impresses Nix boss Rudan". A-League. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  5. ^ "서른한 살 된 '월미도 호날두' 유병수 "욕심 내려놓고 다시 시작" (in Korean)". Kukmin Ilbo. Kukmin Ilbo. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Cho names Korea Rep 23 for AFC Asian Cup". The AFC. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2011.