2025 K League 2 Team Guide

K League United

·15 de febrero de 2025

2025 K League 2 Team Guide

The 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 season begins later this week with most clubs in the division believing they have what it takes to win promotion. K League United provides a guide to all 14 clubs, including newcomers Hwaseong FC.

Format

The 14 clubs of K League 2 each play 39 matches with three fixtures against each of the other 12 teams. The league winners earn automatic promotion while the runners-up advance to Promotion-Relegation Playoff 1 against 11th in K League 1. Third receives a bye through to the Promotion Final where they will play the winners of fourth versus fifth. The winners of that contest will then head to Promotion-Relegation Playoff 2 against 10th in K League 1.

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Ansan Greeners

Following Ansan Mugunghwa's move to Asan, the city of Ansan sought to found a citizen team and in 2017, following a fan vote for the name, Ansan Greeners were born. The Greeners' first-ever match was a 2-1 home victory over Daejeon Citizen on the opening day of the 2017 season. In 2019 the Green Wolves recorded their highest finish by securing fifth place and only narrowly missed out on a place in the playoffs. The Green Wolves will be hoping for a change of fortunes this season having spent much of their existence at the bottom end of the table. Lee Kwan-woo, a K League title winner as a player, took over as manager in 2024.

Highest finish: 5th (2019)

Bucheon FC 1995

Spawned following Bucheon SK's move to Jeju Island and becoming Jeju United (now Jeju SK), citizen club Bucheon FC 1995 joined K League 2 in 2013 after five years in the Challengers League, now K3. Bucheon have experienced somewhat contrasting final league positions over the years, finishing as high as third in 2016 and as low as 10th (bottom) in 2021. Bucheon have made it into the playoffs on a number of occasions - in 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023 but fell short last year. Bucheon, having seen fellow K League 2 founding members FC Anyang escape the second tier last year, will be looking to follow suit this season.

Highest finish: 3rd (2016)

Busan IPark

As one of the founding members of the K League, Busan IPark have enjoyed a wealth of success under their former guises over the years but differing fortunes since the turn of the century. Having first succumbed to relegation in 2015, it took four playoff attempts for the south coast side to achieve promotion in 2019, overcoming rivals Gyeongnam FC in the process. But relegation followed in 2020 and the club have been looking to win promotion back to the top flight since. The south coast side have come agonisingly closer over the last two seasons, particularly in 2023 when a late Chungbuk Cheongju equaliser meant they'd lost the title. Jo Sung-hwan took over midway through last season with the aim of sealing a return to where Busan fans will feel the club belongs.

Honours: K League 1 Winners (1984, 1987, 1991, 1997), Promotion Playoff Winners (2019), FA Cup (2004), AFC Champions League (1985-86) League Cup (1997, 1997s, 1998s), National Football Championship (1989, 1990) Afro-Asian Club Championship (1986)

Cheonan City

Cheonan City are heading into what is just their third season in K League 2 this year. The club itself, though, has been around since 2008 when, until 2019, it competed in the National League before joining K3 the following year. The team is headed by experienced manager Kim Tae-wan who is known for his spells with Sangju and Gimcheon Sangmu, winning the K League 2 title with the latter in 2021 and guiding the former to fourth place in K League 1 in 2020. The club achieved significant progress last year, finishing ninth having been the league's basement side and whipping boys in 2023.

Highest finish: 9th (2024)

Chungbuk Cheongju

Chungbuk Cheongju were first founded in 2002 and competed at amateur level until 2009 when it joined the K3 League. They were something of a surprise package in 2023 as, in their debut seasoning K League, the Lions came close to reaching the playoffs and still had a mathematical chance of doing so heading into the final matches of the season. The club has five main targets including setting the K League 2 attendance record, being the division's fan-friendliest team, achieving promotion by the year 2028, and being the best club in the country for youth development.

Highest finish: 8th (2023)

Chungnam Asan

Chungnam Asan are another relatively new club, formed in 2020 following the abolition of the former police team Asan Mugunghwa. The team's home stadium is named after Yi Sun-sin, who was a Korean admiral and military general in the 1500s. After a tentative first full season as a citizen club in 2020, the Owls changed their home colours to blue. Chungnam Asan came close to reaching the promised land last year and had Daegu FC on the ropes in the playoffs, earning a 4-1 lead in the first leg at one stage. Ultimately, it wasn't to be but the Owls surprised many with their second-place finish and, despite many key names departing, including the manager, will be looking to impress again this season.

Highest finish: 2nd (2024)

Gimpo FC

After being founded in 2013 as Gimpo Citizen and playing in the K3 League, Gimpo joined K League in 2022. Ko Jeong-woon is the club's manager, having taken over in 2019 and won the 2021 K3 League title. Gimpo FC head into what will be their fourth season in K League 2 after an incredible showing in 2023, finishing third and reaching the playoffs, and a decent effort last year too. Gimpo have managed to keep hold of their foreign stars, Luis Mina, Connor Chapman, Leonard Pllana, and Bruno Parabia and will be a team to watch in 2025. The club play at the newest football-specific ground in the league, the 5,000-capacity Solteo Stadium, which has three stands that are very close to the pitch.

Honours: K3 League Winners (2021)Highest K League 2 finish: 3rd (2023)

Gyeongnam FC

Gyeongnam FC are the provincial club from South Gyeongsang and play most of their home games at Changwon Football Center, in the province's largest city. The team was founded in 2006 and joined K League as the 14th club for the 2006 season. The Roses had an eight-year stay in the top flight before being relegated in 2014. In 2017, though, Gyeongnam won K League 2 at a canter and then finished second in the top flight the following season, qualifying for the AFC Champions League for the first time. However, relegation via the playoffs followed after an aggregate defeat to rivals Busan IPark. Gyeongnam have been trying to return to K League 1 ever since, reaching the playoffs in three out of the last five seasons. Last season, however, saw them part company with manager Park Dong-hyuk and finish second bottom. Former Korean international midfielder Lee Eul-yong is at the helm now, tasked with returning the Roses to K League 1.

Honours: K League 2 Winners (2017)

Highest K League Finish: 2nd (K League 1, 2018)

Hwaseong FC

Manager: Cha Du-ri | Captain: Woo Je-wook | Est: 2013 | Stadium: Hwaseong Stadium (2011, 35,270) | 2024: 2nd (K3)

Hwaseong FC are the latest club to join K League. Another Gyeonggi Province team but one that is managed by Korean football legend Cha Du-ri, who enjoyed a successful playing career in Germany, Scotland, and Korea. Hwaseong has had success in the lower leagues, winning the K3 title on three occasions and finishing second last year. Little will be expected of the club in 2025 as it navigates its way into fully professional football for the first time.

Honours: K3 League Winners (2014, 2019, 2023)

Incheon United

Relegated Incheon United played their first season back in 2004 and by their second they managed to reach the Championship Playoff Final where they finished as runners-up to Ulsan. The Blue-Black have not reached those heights since but did flirt with the prospect of glory once more in 2015 when they made it to the FA Cup Final, losing to Gyeongin Derby rivals FC Seoul. Incheon had become known as relegation escape artists with their biggest scare to date coming in 2020. Top-six finishes in 2022 and 2023, and AFC Champions League qualification gave fans hope that the club was finally realising its potential. But the perennial escape artists had run out of tricks and suffered relegation in 2024. Most of the team's big names have stayed and 2024 K League 1 Manager of the Year Yoon Jong-hwan is at the helm to ensure an immediate return to the top flight.

Highest K League Finish: 2nd (K League 1, 2005)

Jeonnam Dragons

Owned by POSCO Steel and located in South Jeolla Province, Jeonnam Dragons have rivalries with both Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. However, after suffering their first-ever relegation in 2018, the Dragons will have to wait before locking horns with their old foes. Jeonnam have four FA Cup wins to their name, the most recent coming in 2021 which qualified them for the 2022 AFC Champions League - the first K League 2 team to do so. The Dragons are now entering their seventh season in the second tier and will be looking to improve on last year's playoff semifinal appearance.

Honours: FA Cup Winners (1997, 2006, 2007, 2021)

Highest K League Finish: 2nd (K League 1, 1997)

Seongnam FC

Seongnam FC are one of the league's most decorated clubs, particularly under their former guise of 'Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.' The club has lifted the league title no fewer than seven times, winning three consecutive championships on two separate occasions. Their conversion to a citizen club ahead of the 2014 season began with an FA Cup win and a foray into the AFC Champions League the following year. But the Magpies have become something of a yo-yo club since then, suffered relegation in 2016 and had a two-year stay in the second tier. The 2025 campaign is Seongnam's third back in K League 2 after relegation in 2022. Last year was one for sorrow for the Magpies, having finished rock bottom of the table.

Honours: K League 1 Winners (1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006), Promotion Winners (2018), FA Cup (1999, 2011, 2013), AFC Champions League (1995, 2010), League Cup (1992, 2002, 2004), Afro-Asian Club Championship (1996)

Seoul E-Land

Owned by The E-Land Group, Seoul E-Land were formed in 2015 and made it to the playoffs in their debut season. The Leopards hadn't been able to repeat that until last year, finishing third and reaching the Promotion-Relegation Final against Jeonbuk. The Leopards had one paw in K League 1 having taken the lead in Jeonju, so will be looking to go one better in 2025. With Kim Do-kyun in charge, a manager with promotion experience on his CV, fans will be hoping the Leopards' first-ever promotion is just a matter of time. Seoul E-Land's home stadium history makes for interesting reading having left their first home, Jamsil Olympic Stadium, while renovation work is completed and have moved into Mokdong Stadium in the west of the city. Mokdong used to be the home stadium of Bucheon SK and LG Cheetahs. Seoul also played in Cheonan in 2019.

Highest K League 2 Finish: 3rd (2024)

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Suwon Samsung Bluewings suffered a shock relegation to the second tier in 2023 and were expected to seal an instant return to the top flight last season. However, a somewhat lacklustre sixth-place finish means that the Bluewings have a second season in K League 2 to get through. Suwon are one of Korea's most successful and famous clubs having enjoyed both domestic and continental success. The Bluewings also boast the reputation of being one of the better cup sides in the country, holding the record for the most number of FA Cups (five) and the now-abolished League Cup (six). The club have been very busy in the transfer market, signing proven players such as Stanislav Iljutcenko, Bruno Silva, Choi Young-jun, Kwon Wan-kyu, Kim Ji-hyun, and Jung Dong-yoon. The aim is clear: win promotion back to K League 1.