2025 Season Preview: FC Seoul

A big season lies ahead for FC Seoul who will be aiming to muscle their way into the 2025 K League 1 title race. Can Kim Gi-dong, with Jesse Lingard as captain and following a positive transfer window, rival Ulsan HD for the K League crown?

Last Season

16 wins, 10 draws, 12 losses, 58 points - 4th place

What Happened?

FC Seoul took a bit of time to click in 2024 but once Kim Gi-dong found the right formula, his team sealed a very respectable fourth-place finish to most likely secure a place in the AFC Champions League. It was Seoul's best finish to a season since 2019 (3rd) and their first Final A appearance since then. 

Five straight home losses from mid-April to early June was an unwanted club record, but then six straight home wins from mid-June to late August and an overall run of nine wins in 11 almost had them in the title conversation. A lack of consistency, though, prevented the capital club from finishing any higher up than fourth.

[READ: FC Seoul 2024 Season Recap]

Notable Moves

FC Seoul's transfer policy signals a 'win-now' approach with Kim Gi-dong wanting players who can hit the ground running and help deliver instant success - ideally a first trophy in nine years. Left back Kim Jin-su and winger Moon Seon-min, both 32, have arrived from Jeonbuk on free transfers, while Jeong Seung-won - one of the hottest free agents on the market after his impressive showings in 2024 - has joined from Suwon FC. 

Stanislav Iljutcenko has left, leaving Seoul looking for an out-and-out striker but Ronaldo Tavares remains on the club's books. It had been thought that his loan move ended at the end of last season but the Portuguese has been in pre-season training. Ronaldo looked a real handful in the short cameos he made off the bench last season, leaving FC Seoul fans wondering why he didn't feature more.

[READ: K League 1 winter transfer trends]

Key Player

Jesse Lingard

Former Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard had a productive and very respectable first season in K League last year, scoring six and assisting three from 26 appearances. It was clear initially that Lingard needed to get used to K League and his teammates, and likewise, his teammates needed time to get used to him. But with a year under his belt, a full pre-season with - touch wood - no early-season injuries, Lingard should be ready and raring to go. He's also the captain having officially taken over the armband from Ki Sung-yueng. Lingard was largely deployed in the number 10 position last season in a 4-4-1-1 and will probably operate in a similar position in 2025, behind a main striker and linking up with the midfield.

Young Player(s) to Watch

Kang Ju-hyuk & Hwang Do-yoon

A team's U22 option can often be chosen simply because other areas of the pitch are too crowded. Seoul's back centre back pairing of Yazan Al-Arab and Kim Ju-sung means Park Seong-hoon is perhaps unlikely to start, the ample midfield options mean that central midfielder Hwang Do-yoon will have to work hard to get ahead of Ki Sung-yueng, Lee Seung-mo, Ryu Jae-moon, perhaps Jeong Seung-won depending on where he's deployed, and potentially Aleksandar Palocevic if he's still at the club. This leaves wingers Kang Ju-hyuk (18), Kang Seong-jin (21), and Son Seung-beom (20). Seoul's U22 option will most likely be Kang Ju-hyuk or Kang Seong-jin, with Hwang Do-yoon next in line. Kang Jun-hyuk made his debut last year as a 17-year-old and looks a real prospect, while Hwang put in some very bright displays in central midfield as he got a run in the side towards the end of the campaign - a potential audition for 2025.

[READ: Each K League 1 team's nearest away matches]

Biggest Question

Is this the year FC Seoul mount a serious title push?

It has to be, hasn't it? It has been too long since Seoul were challenging for honours. With the other main contenders going through transitional periods - Jeonbuk's rebuild, Ulsan's generational shift, and Pohang's modest transfer business - Seoul could steal a march on the competition with a positive start to the season. They have a good manager at the helm, a good crop of players, and a passionate fanbase that supports the team in numbers. Everything is in place for Seoul to do well.

Reason to Watch

With FC Seoul taking a win-now approach to the transfer market, all that's left to do is to produce on the pitch. If they can make their home ground a fortress and remain consistent, what they were unable to do last year, then Seoul should be challenging for the title. Will Lingard win his first trophy since the 2017 Europe League, leading Seoul to a first trophy since 2016? Only one way to find out.

[READ: Rival and derby matches in K League in 2025]

Where to Watch K League

Watch all K League 1 & 2 matches live, for free, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com. Four matches per K League 1 round will be selected for English commentary.

FC Seoul begin the new season away to Jeju SK.