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| Im Seung-gyeom / Photo: Gwangju FC |
The club announced on March 26 that it had signed 30-year-old Im, who has professional experience with Seongnam FC and FC Anyang.
A product of Hyundai High School and Korea University, Im launched his professional career in 2017 with Nagoya Grampus in Japan’s J2 League. He made 14 appearances in his debut season and helped the club earn promotion to J1. He later spent time with Oita Trinita in J2 and Mokpo City Hall in the National League as he developed his game.
Im entered the K League in 2019 with Seongnam FC, appearing in 33 matches over two seasons and helping Seongnam retain its K League 1 status. He moved to FC Anyang in 2021 and completed his military service with Gimcheon Sangmu, where he was part of the squad that secured promotion to K League 1 in 2023. After returning, he contributed to Anyang’s 2024 promotion, marking back-to-back direct promotions.
Primarily a center back, Im can also operate as a defensive midfielder, offering positional flexibility. He is noted for his reliable aerial presence, strong one-on-one defending, and his ability to help build play from the back—traits Gwangju expects will expand the team’s tactical options.
Im said, \"I’m pleased to join Gwangju, a club that plays attractive football. I want to get through the season healthy and do my part to help the team reach its goals. I’ll do my best to repay the fans for their support.\"
Im is currently under a registration ban and will only be eligible to register and play starting in July, when the summer transfer window opens. The club says it will use the interim period to help him adapt and to sharpen his tactical understanding ahead of competitive matches.
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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