Hong Hye-ji

Hong Hye-ji (born 25 August 1996) is a South Korean footballer who plays as a defender for the South Korea national team.

Early life Hong attended Hyundai Technical High School, followed by attending Korea University. At Korea University, she played for the women's football team.

Club career In December 2016, Hong signed a one-year contract with Japanese Nadeshiko League club INAC Kobe Leonessa for the 2017 season. At the end of the season, after having only made two appearances, she departed the club to enter the South Korean WK League draft.

In December 2017, she was selected first overall in the 2018 WK League Draft by Changnyeong WFC. She scored the winning goals that led to the team's first wins of the season in both the 2018 and 2019 season.

In 2021, she joined WK League club Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels WFC.

In January 2025, she signed with Canadian club AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League.

International career

Hong played with the South Korea U16 at the 2011 AFC U-16 Women's Championship.

She played with the South Korea U19 at the 2013 AFC U-19 Women's Championship and the 2015 AFC U-19 Women's Championship, helping them qualify for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She served as captain at both the 2015 U19 AFC Championship and 2016 U20 World Cup.

On 29 November 2015, Hong made her senior debut in a 1–0 loss to Australia. In December 2015, she won the Korea Football Association Young Player of the Year Award. On 4 June 2016, she scored her first goal in a 5–0 victory against Myanmar. She was regularly called up to the senior team for several tournaments, but suffered an injury in April before the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, resulting in her not being selected to the squad.

Career statistics International

Honours South Korea AFC U-19 Women's Championship: 2013

Individual KFA Young Player of the Year: 2015