Kim Kee-hee

Kim Kee-hee (; or ; born 13 July 1989) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. He can also be fielded as a defensive midfielder. Kim has played for teams in the K-League, Qatar Stars League, Chinese Super League and Major League Soccer. He has also represented South Korea at the national level.

Club career Daegu Kim initially played University League at Hongik University from 2008 to 2010. Kim was then drafted in the second round of the 2011 K-League draft by Daegu FC. Kim made his professional debut on 5 March 2011, playing the full 90 minutes of Daegu's opening game of the 2011 K-League season against Gwangju FC, which ended in a 2–3 loss for Daegu FC.

Loan to Al-Sailiya On 26 September 2012, Kim joined the newly promoted Qatar Stars League club Al-Sailiya on a loan deal.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Kim joined fellow K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2013 and would help the team to win two successive K-League titles.

Shanghai Shenhua On 19 February 2016, Kim moved to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for a reported transfer fee of US$6 million. Kim's agent had described the deal as the "biggest transfer in Korean history". On 5 March 2016, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Yanbian Funde.

Seattle Sounders FC On 27 February 2018, Kim was signed by Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer using targeted allocation money. He won MLS Cup 2019 with Seattle and planned to sign a new contract for the 2020 season, but was unable to come to financial terms with the club.

Ulsan Hyundai On 26 February 2020, Kim was signed by Ulsan Hyundai of K League 1.

Return to Seattle Sounders FC

On 28 January 2025, Kim rejoined Seattle Sounders FC on a one-year contract with an option for the following season. He is expected to be used as a rotation player behind the starting center-backs due to the team's participation in multiple competitions.

International career In 2011, Kim was selected for the South Korea U-23 national team that participated in the 2012 King's Cup, an annual tournament held in Thailand.

In 2012, Kim won the bronze medal with South Korea U-23 in the 2012 London Olympics, which was the first Olympic medal ever in Korean football history, and he was granted exemption to two years of mandatory military service like the rest of the team.

Career statistics

Honours Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors K League 1: 2014, 2015

Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Chinese FA Cup: 2017

Seattle Sounders FC MLS Cup: 2019 Leagues Cup: 2025

Ulsan Hyundai K League 1: 2022, 2023, 2024 AFC Champions League: 2020

South Korea U23 Summer Olympic Games Bronze Medal: 2012

South Korea EAFF East Asian Cup: 2015

Individual K League 1 Best XI: 2015, 2024