WK League News

One of the founding clubs of the WK League, Seoul City Amazones are the only WK League side based in South Korea’s capital (so far). They were league runners-up in 2013 and made it as far as the play-offs in 2014, but for the last ten years, Seoul have been a reliably mid-lower table team. After a slow start, they finished the 2024 season in sixth place with 27 points after achieving only six wins all season. Seoul did manage some upsets, beating eleven-time championship winners Incheon twice in the latter half of the season, but for the most part they relied on picking up points from other low-ranked teams, and holding tougher opponents to a draw at best.

Seoul have been managed by former South Korea international Yoo Young-sil since late 2019. Yoo belongs to the so-called ‘first generation’ of Korean women’s football, having been a part of the national team during the 1990s. She retired as a player in 2008, meaning she never played in the WK League itself, but she has witnessed its development over the course of her own career. Despite vast improvements during that time, Yoo has been vocal about the ongoing lack of opportunities and support for girls and women in football, particularly in Seoul.

On the pitch, Seoul’s squad is on the smaller side compared to most of their rivals in the WK League, with 22 players currently at the club. The winter transfer window saw nine former Seoul players moving on, and eight new faces arriving, including four brand-new signings from the 2025 WK League draft. Striker Yoo Young-a retired in September after an illustrious career that saw her make over 200 league appearances as well as 87 appearances for South Korea, netting 32 goals for her country along the way. Another veteran of both the league and the national team, defender Seo Hyunsook hung up her boots at the same time, marking a generational shift at Seoul.

Goalkeeper Kang Hyerim, who joined the Amazones in 2023, also retired from football following the end of the 2024 season. Seoul were left with no keepers in their squad as Ryu Jisoo, who made some crucial saves for the Amazones last year, made the move to rival team Sejong Sportstoto to help in their bid for a place in the play-offs. Seoul have adequately filled this gap in their squad, signing Choi Yeseul (formerly of Changnyeong WFC and Gyeongju KHNP) as well as two promising young goalkeeping talents in Woo Seobin and Park Hyunjin, joining Seoul from Uiduk University and Daeduk College respectively.

Midfielders Jo Haneul and Lee Harim have transferred to Sejong Sportstoto and Changnyeong WFC respectively for the 2025 season. The transfer window also saw Seoul bid farewell to Jang Yoobin, a striker who has experience playing for South Korea at youth level as well as six senior international caps. She is now playing for Hwacheon KSPO as they make a bid for the 2025 WK League title. Also looking to make an impact in the title race is Jung Yoojin, a defender who has returned to former club Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels after two years away (one at Changnyeong, one with Seoul). Jung is a calm and reliable presence in the back line but while her individual talents may be missed, the Amazones are hardly short of defenders.

Seoul have brought in a mix of experience and young talent in their latest signings. Besides their two rookie goalkeepers, the club brought in two outfield players at the new player draft, welcoming Seo Hyunmin (Korea University) and Kim Eunmi (Dongwon University). Striker Seo, who joins the Amazones on a three year contract, is known for powerful and accurate shooting ability while Kim is a strong and hardworking midfielder.

Also joining the Amazones are two former Changnyeong WFC players, forward Kang Yumi and defender Lee Ye-eun. 2025 will be Kang’s fourteenth WK League season, and Seoul is her sixth club, so she brings plenty of league experience. She has also made an impact as a goalscorer for South Korea’s national team. This makes her a valuable addition to Seoul’s squad not only for her technical ability but also for the knowledge and insight she can pass on to her more junior teammates. Another league veteran joining the Amazones this season is Son Yoonhee, a defensive midfielder who comes to the club from Hwacheon KSPO, becoming Seoul’s oldest player and taking on the role of club captain. Seoul’s final new signing is Son’s former Hwacheon teammate and defender Jo Yesong.

As Son Yoonhee finds her feet at a new club and in a leadership role, she is ably supported by vice captain and midfielder Kwak Minyoung, a familiar face to Seoul fans. Even if you haven’t been following Seoul, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve seen vice captain Kwak before — her twin sister Minjeong has the same responsibility at Gyeongju KHNP this year. Kang Chaerin, now in her fifth year at Seoul after winning three WK League titles with Incheon Hyundai, is another player who brings experience and stability to the squad, not to mention fellow striker Park Heeyoung. Park has also won league titles with Incheon and racked up over 40 senior appearances for South Korea. Seoul may not have as many attacking options as some other teams in the league, but the options they do have are not to be sniffed at. Among Seoul’s younger returning players, look out for promising talent Kim Minji, who joined the club in last year’s new player draft but was unfortunately unable to play for most of 2024 due to an injury. She will be looking to make her mark as she returns to the field this year.

Seoul’s modestly sized squad is a real mix of old and new, with the younger generation of players constantly learning from their senior colleagues, not to mention manager and national team legend Yoo. On paper, Seoul’s squad seems to be packed with more defensive players, and while they do have certified attacking talent, the Amazones will need strong teamwork and communication in the midfield to create scoring opportunities for them. With their squad on the smaller side, recovery and conditioning will also be key for Seoul as even minor injuries could have a big impact as the season goes on. Seoul had a poor record at home in the first half of last season, which left them with little chance of catching up with Sejong Sportstoto as the league went on. With a stronger start and consistency throughout the season, there’s no reason why Seoul shouldn’t collect more than 27 points this year, but with tough opposition, even more points may not be enough to see them move up the table.

Seoul City Amazones 2025 squad

Changes from 2024