Official | Club legend Osmar Ibáñez departs FC Seoul

Club captain Osmar Ibáñez has left FC Seoul after a nine-year association with the club.

FC Seoul made the announcement on Thursday 21st December, saying that the club decided against a new contract with Osmar. A press release stated that the decision was made as part of changes to the playing squad in order for it to challenge in the 2024 season.

Osmar became the first foreign captain of the club in 2016 and took on the armband again in 2023. FC Seoul therefore describe the Spaniard as a "symbol" of the club and that the decision was difficult but one that was made after a lot of consideration. 

FC Seoul says that it would like to deliver its heartfelt thanks and respect to a player who did everything for the club over the last nine years and wishes him well in his new challenge and that it will offer him any help he needs in becoming a coach.

Image via FC Seoul press release

According to some reports in the Korean media, Osmar is heading to Malaysia to sign with Kedah FA, a side he scored against for Seoul in an AFC Champions League qualifying playoff in January 2020. However, there has been no official confirmation from Kedah or the player.

FC Seoul signed Osmar from Thai giants Buriram United in January 2014. He then went on to play 344 games for the club, score 25 goals, and assist 13. Seoul reached the FA Cup Final in his first season with the club but lost to Seongnam FC. A year later, however, Osmar and Seoul were able to make amends by beating Incheon United 3-1 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in the final. 

The very next season, Osmar captained FC Seoul to the 2016 K League Classic title, overcoming Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on the final day, to seal a sixth league title for the club and third of the ‘FC Seoul’ era.

Osmar holds the club record for the highest number of appearances by a foreign player, surpassing Dejan Damjanovic’s 330, and sits second behind Go Yo-han in the club’s all-team appearances list. In his final season with the club, Osmar played 35 times in the league, scoring twice.