2025 K League Awards: Six Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors players named in Best XI

With the regular season now done and dusted, Monday 1st December saw attention turn to K League's annual awards. No fewer than six Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors players were named in the Best XI, showing just how dominant the Green Warriors were in 2025 en route to their 10th K League crown.

Goalkeeper

Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)

Jeonbuk’s guardian between the posts, Song Bum-keun, has been selected for the Best XI for the first time in his career. Song played every match this season, conceding only 32 goals and displaying a rock-solid defensive presence, contributing significantly to Jeonbuk’s achievement of the fewest goals conceded in K League 1 (32 goals).

He also recorded 15 clean sheets, firmly protecting the goal throughout the season and playing a key role in Jeonbuk’s championship run. Thanks to his outstanding performances, Song enjoyed a career-best season, earning 1 Round MVP, five Round Best XI selections, and two Man of the Match honours.

Defenders

Lee Myung-jae, Daejeon’s left back, joined the club from Birmingham City during the summer transfer window. Since donning the Daejeon jersey, he made 15 appearances, producing two goals and three assists, making a strong impression in just half a season. With consistent contributions on both offense and defense, he helped lead Daejeon to their first-ever K League 1 runners-up finish. Following his first career Best XI selection last season with Ulsan, he has now earned the honour for a second straight year.

FC Seoul central defender Yazan Al-Arab appeared in 34 matches, recording one goal and one assist, while serving as a defensive anchor for the team. After being shortlisted for the Best XI during his debut K League 1 season last year, he has gone one step further this year by securing a spot in the final Best XI. Yazan’s steady defensive performances throughout the year earned him three Round Best XI selections.

Hong Jeong-ho, playing his eighth season with Jeonbuk, appeared in 30 matches, contributing heavily to both the championship and the league-best defensive record (32 goals conceded). With veteran positioning and outstanding man-marking ability, he shut down opposing attacks and led Jeonbuk’s tight defensive unit. This marks Hong’s fifth career Best XI selection, reaffirming his consistency and ability. Notably, he was also named MVP of the 2021 season, when he helped Jeonbuk to the title.

Kim Moon-hwan, Daejeon’s right back, made 24 appearances and recorded two assists, delivering textbook performances on the right-hand side of the defence. With sharp forward runs and a tremendous work rate, he contributed to Daejeon’s first-ever K League 1 runners-up finish and was named to the Round Best XI three times. His stable performances each season have solidified his status as a reliable fullback for both club and country.

Midfielders

Song Min-kyu appeared in 35 matches, tallying five goals and two assists. Now in his fifth season with Jeonbuk since joining in 2021, he has firmly established himself as a key player through consistent performances. His trademark bold movement and attacking involvement once again fueled Jeonbuk’s title run. He earned three Round Best XI selections and two Man of the Match honours, showcasing his value as an attacking force for a title-winning team.

Kim Jin-gyu also played 35 matches, producing five goals and six assists, reaching double digits in goal contributions in the top division for the first time. With his ability to move freely between the middle third and final third, he brought energy to Jeonbuk’s attack while displaying strong form for both club and national team. After being selected for the K League 2 Best XI in 2023 while at Gimcheon, Kim now earns a place in the K League 1 Best XI as a midfielder.

Park Jin-seob, Jeonbuk’s captain this season, played a pivotal role in leading the team to the championship. Appearing in 35 matches with three goals and two assists, he made major contributions in attack and in defence, despite being a defensive midfielder. His dominant presence earned him nine Round Best XI selections and five Man of the Match awards, and his performance even placed him among the season MVP candidates. This marks Park’s third career Best XI—following selections in 2021 (K League 2, Daejeon) and 2022 (K League 1, Jeonbuk).

Kang Sang-yoon played 34 matches and recorded four assists, emerging as Jeonbuk’s midfield playmaker and showcasing remarkable development this season. A product of the Jeonbuk youth system, Kang made his debut under a semi-pro contract in 2022 before loan spells at Busan and Suwon FC, and this year finally seized a full opportunity at Jeonbuk.

With precise passing and quick build-up play, he orchestrated the team’s attack and played an important role in the championship. Despite his young age, he earned three Round Best XI selections, one Round MVP, and one Man of the Match, establishing himself as a key figure in Jeonbuk’s midfield.

Forwards

Lee Dong-gyeong appeared in 34 matches for Gimcheon this season, recording 13 goals and 11 assists to spearhead the team’s attack. After completing his military service and returning to Ulsan in October, he played two additional matches, adding one assist. His outstanding scoring ability and reliable link-up play marked a career-high season and earned him a spot among the MVP candidates. Following last season’s Best XI selection with Gimcheon, Lee has now been named to the Best XI for the second consecutive year.

Pablo Sabbag, in his debut K League season, played 33 matches and recorded 17 goals and two assists for Suwon FC. As a result, he claimed both the Best XI forward spot and the Golden Boot, achieving a remarkable double in his first year. Standing at 190 cm, Sabbag dominated aerial duels and displayed excellent finishing ability as the centerpiece of Suwon FC’s attack. He scored 11 goals with his left foot, four with his right, and two with his head, showcasing diverse attacking routes. With nine goals at home and eight away, he demonstrated admirable consistency in all environments.