2025 K4 League
| Season | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 22 February – 15 November 2025 |
← 2024 2026 → | |
The 2025 K4 League is the sixth season of the semi-professional K4 League. It is the fourth tier of men's football in South Korea.
The pre-season, winter transfer window opened on 1 January 2025 and will close on 24 March 2025. The summer transfer window will open on 20 June 2025 and will close on 31 July 2025.[citation needed]
Competition format
[edit]The regular season will be played over 33 rounds. Fixtures were officially published on February 5, 2025 via the league's Instagram account.[1][2]
The winner of the regular league season will be crowned champions without a playoff and gain automatic promotion. The 2nd-placed team may gain promotion via a two-game playoff series against the 14th-place team in the 2025 K3 League.[3][4]
Teams
[edit]Eleven teams are competing in the 2025 season.
Following the example of K League, match day squads have increased from 18 to 20 players. Three or more players must be Korean nationals aged 23 or younger, with one included in the starting eleven. The Asian player quota has been removed, and teams may now include 4 foreign players of any nationality.[5]
Team changes
[edit]Relegated from K3 League
Newly joined
Withdrawn
- Jeonju Citizen FC - Suspended at the end of the 2024 season due to financial issues, and subsequently disbanded.[9]
- FC Sejong - Suspended at the end of the 2024 season due to issues with team management.[8]
- Seoul Nowon United FC - Suspended for one year before the start of the 2025 season due to various issues including the termination of an agreement between the team and the Nowon-gu local government, and subsequently disbanded.[10]
Change Name
- FC Chungju relocated to Yeoncheon and changed their name to Yeoncheon FC.[11]
Stadiums and locations
[edit]
| Team | Home city | Home ground | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dangjin Citizen FC | Dangjin | Dangjin Sports Complex | 66,422 |
| Daegu FC B | Daegu | Daegu World Cup Stadium | 2,500 |
| Geoje Citizen FC | Geoje | Geoje Sports Park | 3,000 |
| Gijang United FC | Gijang County | Jeonggwan Sports Healing Park | 2,200 |
| Jinju Citizen FC | Jinju | Jinju Sports Complex (Temporary relocation to Modeok Sports Park)[12][13] |
20,116 |
| Namyangju FC | Namyangju | Namyangju Sports Complex | 2,901 |
| Pyeongchang United FC | Pyeongchang County | Jinbu Sports Park | 300 |
| Pyeongtaek Citizen FC | Pyeongtaek | Sosabug Sports Town | 12,738 |
| Yeoncheon FC | Yeoncheon County | Yeoncheon Sports Complex | 9,000 |
| Seoul Jungnang FC | Seoul | Jungnang District Field | 400 |
| Sejong SA FC | Sejong | Sejong Citizen's Stadium | 996 |
Season overview
[edit]Pyeongchang United FC squad included arguably the most notable signing of the season, Hwang Mun-gi, who was signed on loan from Gangwon FC while he did his military/civil service. He was a first team regular in K League 1 with recent national team appearances.
The only foreigner to make an appearance in the league so far has been Isaac Osei, playing for Daegu FC's Reserve team, Daegu B.
Namyangju FC started the season well, going 9 matches undefeated and earning 6 wins from those 9 matches. Pyeongchang United FC too started well, going undefeated for the first 8 matches. Newcomers Gijang United FC had a respectable start with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses, while fellow newcomers Sejong SA FC had to wait 9 before earning their first victory.
By mid-season, the league had taken shape. Namyangju was still leading the way, with Dangjin close behind in the second automatic promotion spot. Jinju and Pyeonchang United were close, holding strong in the playoff position. League newcomers Gijang United FC and Sejong SA FC had found their feel and was starting to challenge for mid table positions. Although no technically newcomers, Yeoncheon FC were similarly finding their feet. Seoul Jungnang FC was still struggling with 12 losses from their first 17 matches. Their draw against Gijang and win against Pyeongtaek Citizen FC were forfeit when it was discovered that they had fielded an ineligible player.
Standings
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Namyangju | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 11 | +20 | 42 | Promotion to 2026 K3 League[14] |
| 2 | Dangjin Citizen | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 48 | 29 | +19 | 36 | Promotion-Relegation playoff |
| 3 | Geoje Citizen | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 37 | 28 | +9 | 28 | |
| 4 | Pyeongchang United | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 28 | |
| 5 | Jinju Citizen | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 30 | 33 | −3 | 28 | |
| 6 | Daegu B | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 16 | +7 | 26 | |
| 7 | Gijang United | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 24 | |
| 8 | Pyeongtaek Citizen | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 38 | −14 | 22 | |
| 9 | Yeoncheon | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 34 | −15 | 18 | |
| 10 | Sejong SA | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 27 | 33 | −6 | 16 | |
| 11 | Seoul Jungnang | 18 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 21 | 43 | −22 | 8 |
Results
[edit]^a Seoul Jungnang FC fielded an ineligible player and the 3-5 results was forfeit.[15] ^b No articles were published explaining why the match was forfeit, but it's assumed it was for fielding an ineligible player.
Statistics
[edit]Updated: 29 May 2024
Top scorers
[edit]| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gu Hyeon-u
|
Dangjin Citizen FC | 10 |
| 2 | Go Byung-beom
|
Pyeongtaek Citizen FC | 9 |
| 3 | Kim Su-seong
|
Pyeongchang United FC | 8 |
| 4 | Choi Ju-hyuk
|
Geoje Citizen | 8 |
| 5 | Jeon Yong-jun
|
Daegu B | 7 |
Hat-tricks
[edit]| Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Hye-seong
|
Dangjin Citizen FC | Pyeongtaek Citizen FC | 8–0 (H) | 24 May 2025 |
Most Assists
[edit]| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bak Yo-Han
|
Pyeongchang United FC | 9 |
| 2 | Kim Jae-cheol
|
Sejong SA FC | 6 |
| 3 | Seo Gyeong-ju
|
Dangjin Citizen FC | 5 |
| 4 | Lee Si-chang
|
Geoje Citizen FC | 5 |
| 5 | Jeong Hyun-woo
|
Pyeongtaek Citizen FC | 5 |
Clean sheets
[edit]| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baek Kyung-in
|
Dangjin Citizen | 6 |
| 2 | Bak Han-geun
|
Namyangju FC | 5 |
| 3 | Lee Tae-heui
|
Geoje Citizen | 4 |
| Yoo Jong-min
|
Pyeongchang United |
Discipline
[edit]Player
[edit]- Most yellow cards: 5
Kim Jae-bong (Seoul Jungnang FC)- Han Gu-chang (Dangjin Citizen FC)
- Choi Hyeon-bin (Gijang United FC)
- Kim Hyo-gi (Yeoncheon FC)
- Hyeon Jae-Hyeon (Yeoncheon FC)
- Most red cards: 1
- Lee Je-uk (Daegu FC B)
- Shim Min (Sejong SA FC)
- Bak Jin-bae (Gijang United FC)
Club
[edit]- Most yellow cards: 33
- Yeongcheon FC
- Fewest yellow cards: 16
- Namyangju FC
- Most red cards: 2
- Daegu FC B
- Pyeongchang United FC
- Pyeongtaek Citizen FC
- Fewest red cards: 0
- Jinju Citizen FC
- Seoul Jungnang FC
- Geoje Citizen FC
- Dangjin Citizen FC
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Korea Football Association [@thekfa_k3k4league]; (5 February 2025). "2025 K4리그 일정표" [2025 K4 League schedule] (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ Ko, Sung-hwan (27 February 2025). "'15개팀 참가' 2025 K3리그, 3월 1일 개막...8개월 대장정 막 올린다" [With 15 participating teams, the 2025 K3 League begins its 8-month odyssey on 1st March]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Lee, Hyeong-ho (20 February 2025). "2025 K4리그 22일 개막…11개 팀 9개월간 경쟁" [2025 K4 League Opens on the 22nd. 11 Teams Compete for 9 Months.]. Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Lee, Hyeong-ho (27 February 2025). "K3리그, 2025시즌 3월 1일 개막…15개팀 경쟁" [K3 League, 2025 season opens on March 1st. 15 teams compete.]. Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Lee, Hyeong-ho (20 February 2025). "2025 K4리그 22일 개막…11개 팀 9개월간 경쟁" [2025 K4 League Opens on the 22nd. 11 Teams Compete for 9 Months.]. Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Kim, Ga-eul (21 January 2025). "대구FC B팀 사령탑으로 새 도전, 박원재 감독 "선수들 열심히 해줘 감사…잘 성장시키겠다"" [Park Won-jae's new challenge as Daegu FC B head coach: "I'm grateful for the players who work hard... I must help them to develop well"]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 5 February 2025.
- ^ Im, Soon-taek (23 February 2025). "기장군민축구단 2025 K4리그 첫 경기서 0-1로 패배" [Gijang United F.C. lose 1-0 in first match of 2025 K4 League]. Herald Business (in Korean). Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b Kim, Jung-gyu (12 November 2024). "세종SA축구단 창단, 내년부터 K4리그 참가한다" [Sejong SA FC founded, will participate in K4 League from next year]. Voices of Sejong (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ Park, Ju-hyun (26 November 2024). "전주시민축구단 '임금체불, 팀 해체' 진상조사·책임규명 요구 '빗발'...전주시의회, 행정사무감사 '시민 참여 제안' 관련 민원 '폭증' 불구 외면 '빈축'" ['Flood' of demands for investigation into overdue wages, disbandment of Jeonju Citizen FC]. Voices of Jeonbuk (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ Lee, Yu-bin (15 January 2025). "'2024 K4리그 득점왕+도움왕' 배출한 서울노원 UTD, 해체 선언" [Seoul Nowon United, home of the '2024 K4 League top goalscorer and top assister', announces disbandment]. Korea Entertainment and Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ "충주시 'FC충주' 퇴출…충북, 세미프로팀 없어". Chungcheong Review. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ "2025 Season Home Stadium Temporary Change Notice". Jinju Citizen FC. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ "Guide to visiting the Moong Sports Park". Jinju Citizen FC. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ The promotion relegation structure was changed for the 2025 season due to Hwaseong FC being promoted to K League 2.
- ^ Yoon, Jin-man (29 May 2025). ""부정선수 투입은 몰수패다" K4리그 중랑 미승인 선수 논란에 관한 협회의 판단" [ntroducing an illegal player is a forfeiture" The association's decision on the controversy over the unapproved player in K4 League Jungrang] (in Korean). Sports Joseon. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
External links
[edit]- Korean Football Association - Official K4 League Page
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