SEOUL, Kim Min-jae, the South Korean defender from Bayern Munich, has been distinguished with the award for top Asian player in foreign leagues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Kim received the Asian International Player of the Year accolade at the AFC Annual Awards ceremony held in Doha on Tuesday (local time). Kim’s stellar performance in 2023, which he divided between Napoli in Italy and Bayern Munich in Germany, secured him this honor, edging out competition from Mehdi Taremi, the Iranian forward from Porto, and Kaoru Mitoma, the Japanese winger from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Kim’s achievement marks him as the second South Korean to receive this prestigious recognition, following in the footsteps of Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur, who is a three-time recipient of the award. Earlier this year, Kim played a pivotal role in helping Napoli secure their first Italian Serie A league title in 33 years. His outstanding performance also earned him the title of the league’s best defender for the 2022-2023 season.
In July, Kim signed with Bayern Munich, where he has been a steadfast presence on the backline for the German champions. As of now, Bayern Munich stands in second place in the Bundesliga, having accumulated 23 points from seven wins and two draws. The team has conceded the fewest goals in the league, totaling seven, and boasts the largest goal difference in Germany at +27.
Kim’s accolade was a notable moment at the AFC Annual Awards, which marked its return after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he was the only South Korean to clinch a win at the ceremony.