Former South Korean national soccer team goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu (34) is part of the Saudi Arabian professional soccer club Al-Shabab, which has been embroiled in a wage arrears controversy.
According to local media Al-Iryadiyah on the 3rd (Korean time), the total amount of unpaid wages is about 40 million riyals (approximately 15.5 billion Hanwha). The club has not paid wages for three months.
As a result, the Al-Shabab team refused to train on the 2nd. The club promised to resolve the unpaid wages by the end of February, but did not keep this promise. The players visited the club's office to protest collectively. They left the training ground after meeting with head coach Fatih Terim.
Al-Shabab is one of the prestigious clubs in Saudi Arabia, established in 1947. It is also a familiar team to South Korean soccer fans, having previously included players such as Song Jong-kuk, Kwak Tae-hwi, and Park Ju-young.
Kim Seung-kyu moved to Saudi Arabia when he signed a three-year contract with Al-Shabab in the summer of 2022.
In his first season, he participated in 31 league matches and recorded 34 goals conceded, ranking 4th in the minimum goals conceded institutional sector. However, during the second season, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during training for the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
After a long rehabilitation, he returned in August last year, but two months later, he injured the same area again in a match against Al-Oroba and has been sidelined since then. He has appeared in a total of 69 matches while with Al-Shabab.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabab has recorded 12 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses up to the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, accumulating 39 points and currently sitting in 6th place.
There are indications that efforts are being made to sign 'Captain' Son Heung-min in the Saudi Arabian league. Of course, it is not Al-Shabab, but it could clearly become a significant issue.
The prestigious Saudi club Al-Ittihad has shown interest in Son Heung-min. In particular, rumors have surfaced that they could pay a transfer fee of 40 million pounds (720 million won). However, the transaction did not actually take place.
Despite various transfer rumors, Tottenham and Son Heung-min triggered a one-year extension option. Son Heung-min expressed his loyalty, saying, "Playing for this team is a great honor."
Regarding these allegations, Al-Shabab's head coach Fatih Terim refrained from discussing them at a press conference ahead of the match against Al-Nassr. He remarked, "Unfortunately, it is true that a problem has arisen. It is a very sensitive issue, so I will not discuss or mention it in the press conference. It is the club that needs to clarify this issue."
Under pressure, Al-Shabab has reportedly sought assistance from other Saudi clubs. They have requested that big Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal pay the partitioning transfer fees owed to them in advance. Ultimately, it has led to harm to players and coaches due to structural problems in the Saudi league.
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