Kim Sin-jin

Kim Sin-jin (born July 13, 2001) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a striker for K League 1 club FC Seoul. He made his debut professional appearance in the 2022 K League 1 season.

Early life and youth career
Kim Sin-jin was born on July 13, 2001, in Daejeon, South Korea. He has an older brother named Jeong-jin, who influenced him to play soccer in second grade. He attended Daejeon Jeonglim Elementary School, Gunsan Jeil Middle School, and Gunsan Jeil High School. In 2018, Kim enrolled in Gangneung Jeil High School and played for the Gangwon FC U-18 squad at the 2nd Asia International Youth in Tottori tournament. He scored a hat trick against the Hong Kong national under-18 football team, leading his team to a 5–0 victory.

At the start of the 2020 U-League college football season, Kim was unable to participate in three matches due to a calf injury. Playing for Sun Moon University, Kim scored two goals at the U-League King of Kings finals against Dongguk University. His team won 2–1, giving the institution its first championship in the tournament. He became the top-scoring player in the regional league with seven goals in six games. Kim's performance earned him U-League's Best Young Player Award. The following year, he played at the 57th Spring University Football Federation Tournament in Tongyeong, where he scored two goals in the finals against Jeonju University and allowed his team to win 3–1. He also scored two goals at the 57th Autumn University Football Federation – Taebaeksangi competition, with his team winning 2–1 against Soongsil University.

Senior career
In 2021, Kim signed a free contract with FC Seoul. He made his debut professional appearance as a substitute in the second round of the 2022 K League 1 season as the team faced off against Incheon United FC. Amid an outbreak of COVID-19 among his team's squad, Kim played as a center back in the sixth round of the season against Jeju United FC. Writing for the website InterFootball, Shin Dong-hun wrote that Kim appeared anxious in the position, which negatively impacted his gameplay.

Style of play
Kim plays as a striker identified as "key player" due to his strength, game sense, and flexibility. He has occasionally been utilized as a center back. Kim has cited Robert Lewandowski, Kim Ji-hyeon, and Harry Kane as role models.