This is a list of foreign players in K League 1.
Players in bold are currently playing in K League 1. If players have been capped for a national team, this nationality takes precedence over the nationality stated in the official K League player registration database. In dual citizen annotation, if dual citizen players have an international career, the country listed in italics is the national team they have played for.
Africa (CAF) Cameroon Gustave Bollanga Priso (1996 Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos) Bertin Tomou (1997 Pohang Steelers) Gilbert Massock (1997 Anyang LG Cheetahs) Michel Pensée (1997–1999 Ilhwa Chunma) Claude Ngon A Djam (1999 Ilhwa Chunma) Nicolas Mbianda (2000 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Same Nkwelle (2002 Daejeon Citizen) Felix Nzeina (2005 Busan IPark) Émile Mbamba (2009 Daegu FC) Blaise Tsague (2026–present FC Anyang)
Cote d'Ivoire Jean-Marc Benie (2000 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) Loukou Auguste (2000 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) Adriel Ba Loua (2026–present Gwangju FC)
DR Congo Emeka Mamale (1996–1997 Pohang Steelers) Jean-Kasongo Banza (1997 Jeonnam Dragons, 1997 Ilhwa Chunma) Zazi Chaminga (1997 Ilhwa Chunma) Mutamba Kabongo (1997–2000 LG Cheetahs) N'Dayi Kalenga (1999 Ilhwa Chunma) Paul-José M'Poku (2023–2024 Incheon United) ※ Dual citizen of DR Congo and Belgium
Egypt Mohamed Azima (1996 Hyundai Horang-i)
Gambia Modou Barrow (2020–2022 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Gambia and Sweden
Ghana George Alhassan (1984 Hyundai Horang-i) Stanley Aborah (1997–1998 Ilhwa Chunma) Patrick Villars (2003 Bucheon SK) Alex Asamoah (2010 Gyeongnam FC) Derek Asamoah (2011–2012 Pohang Steelers, 2013 Daegu FC) ※ Dual citizen of Ghana and the United Kingdom Maxwell Acosty (2023 Suwon Samsung Bluewings); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Ghana and Italy Nana Boateng (2023–2025 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Patrick Twumasi (2025–present Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Guinea Abdoul Salam Sow (1996 Jeonnam Dragons)
Guinea-Bissau Frédéric Mendy (2016 Ulsan Hyundai, 2017 Jeju United) ※ Dual citizen of Guinea-Bissau and France Gerso Fernandes (2021–2022 Jeju United, 2023–2024 & 2026–present Incheon United); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Guinea-Bissau and Portugal Romário Baldé (2025 Gangwon FC) ※ Dual citizen of Guinea-Bissau and Portugal
Mali Cheick Tidiani Dao (2002 Bucheon SK) Cheick Oumar Dabo (2002–2004 Bucheon SK)
Mauritius Giovanni Jeannot (1996–1997 Hyundai Horang-i)
Niger Olivier Bonnes (2016–2017 Gwangju FC); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Niger and France
Nigeria Alex Agbo (1997 Ilhwa Chunma) Ajibade Babalade (1997 Anyang LG Cheetahs) Victor Shaka (1997–1999 Anyang LG Cheetahs, 1999–2000 Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, 2001–2002 Busan I'Cons) John Zaki (2000 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Lucky Isibor (2000 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Obinna Nkedoi (2002 Daejeon Citizen) Augustine James (2003 Bucheon SK) Eric Obinna Chukwunyelu (2008 Daejeon Citizen) ※ Dual citizen of Nigeria and France Lanre Kehinde (2019–2020 Incheon United) Christian Osaguona (2019 Jeju United) Moses Ogbu (2022 Pohang Steelers) ※ Dual citizen of Nigeria and Sweden Jesse Sekidika (2026–present Gangwon FC)
Rwanda York Rafael (2026 FC Anyang) ※ Dual citizen of Rwanda and Sweden
Senegal Papa Oumar Coly (2001–2003 Daejeon Citizen)
Sierra Leone Mahmadu Alphajor Bah (1997–1998 Jeonnam Dragons)
South Africa Lars Veldwijk (2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 2021–2023 Suwon FC); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of South Africa and the Netherlands
Togo Peniel Mlapa (2024 Daejeon Hana Citizen); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Togo and Germany
Asia (AFC) Australia Greg Brown (1991 POSCO Atoms) ※ Dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand Ahmad Elrich (2004 Busan I'Cons) Antun Kovacic (2009 Ulsan Hyundai) Jade North (2009 Incheon United) Saša Ognenovski (2009–2012 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) Iain Fyfe (2011 Busan IPark) Luke DeVere (2011–2014 Gyeongnam FC) Robert Cornthwaite (2011–2014 Jeonnam Dragons) Matt McKay (2012 Busan IPark) Eddy Bosnar (2012–2013 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Nathan Burns (2012–2013 Incheon United) Matt Simon (2012–2013 Jeonnam Dragons) Brendan Hamill (2012–2014 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, 2013 Gangwon FC) Adrian Madaschi (2012–2013 Jeju United) Alex Wilkinson (2012–2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Aleksandar Jovanovic (2014–2015 & 2017–2019 Jeju United); also played in K League 2 Adrian Leijer (2016 Suwon FC); also played in K League 2 Erik Paartalu (2016 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Tomislav Mrcela (2016–2018 Jeonnam Dragons) ※ Dual citizen of Australia and Croatia Bruce Djite (2016 Suwon FC); also played in K League 2 Matthew Jurman (2017–2018 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Connor Chapman (2017 Incheon United, 2018 Pohang Steelers, 2021 FC Seoul); also played in K League 2 Dimitri Petratos (2017 Ulsan Hyundai) Ivan Franjic (2017 Daegu FC) Dylan McGowan (2018 Gangwon FC) Kwabena Appiah (2018 Incheon United) ※ Dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand James Donachie (2018 Jeonnam Dragons) Bernie Ibini-Isei (2019 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Adam Taggart (2019–2020 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Rashid Mahazi (2019–2020 Incheon United) ※ Dual citizen of Australia and Kenya Jason Davidson (2019–2021 Ulsan Hyundai) Terry Antonis (2019–2021 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Brandon O'Neill (2020 Pohang Steelers) Alex Grant (2021–2023 Pohang Steelers) Harrison Delbridge (2021–2024 Incheon United); also played in K League 2 Lachlan Jackson (2021–2024 Suwon FC) Ben Halloran (2022 FC Seoul) Aaron Calver (2023 Gwangju FC, 2024–2025 Daejeon Hana Citizen); also played in K League 2 Jonathan Aspropotamitis (2024–2025 Pohang Steelers) Alexandar Popovic (2024 Gwangju FC) Henry Hore (2024 Gangwon FC) Joel Anasmo (2025 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) ※ Dual citizen of Australia and South Sudan John Iredale (2026–present Gwangju FC); also played in K League 2
China Wan Houliang (2009 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Feng Xiaoting (2009 Daegu FC, 2010 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Li Weifeng (2009–2010 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Li Chunyu (2010 Gangwon FC) Yan Song (2010 Jeju United) Bai Zijian (2011 Daejeon Citizen) Huang Bowen (2011–2012 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
East Timor Rodrigo Silva (2017 Daegu FC); when Rodrigo was registered in K League, he was a dual citizen of East Timor and Brazil. He was declared ineligible to participate for the representative teams of the East Timor Football Federation.AFC Disciplinary Committee decision 20170119DC01
Indonesia Pratama Arhan (2024 Suwon FC)
Iran Khaled Shafiei (2017 FC Seoul)
Iraq Abbas Obeid (1996–1997 Anyang LG Cheetahs, 1997–2001 Pohang Steelers) Sadiq Saadoun (1996 Anyang LG Cheetahs) Ali Abbas (2016–2017 Pohang Steelers) ※ Dual citizen of Iraq and Australia Jiloan Hamad (2019 Incheon United) ※ Dual citizen of Iraq and Sweden Rebin Sulaka (2024 FC Seoul)
Japan Kojiro Kaimoto (2001–2002 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) Masakiyo Maezono (2003 Anyang LG Cheetahs, 2004 Incheon United) Kazuyuki Toda (2009 Gyeongnam FC) Masahiro Ohashi (2009 & 2011 Gangwon FC) Kazunari Okayama (2009–2010 Pohang Steelers) Naohiro Takahara (2010 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Yuta Baba (2011–2013 Daejeon Citizen) Akihiro Ienaga (2012 Ulsan Hyundai) Yusuke Shimada (2012 Gangwon FC) Sergio Escudero (2012–2015 FC Seoul, 2018 Ulsan Hyundai) ※ Dual citizen of Japan and Spain Chikashi Masuda (2013–2014 & 2015–2016 Ulsan Hyundai); also played in K League 2 Yojiro Takahagi (2015–2016 FC Seoul) Tomoki Wada (2015 Incheon United, 2016–2017 Gwangju FC); also played in K League 2 Takuma Abe (2017 Ulsan Hyundai) Yohei Toyoda (2018 Ulsan Hyundai) Takahiro Kunimoto (2018–2019 Gyeongnam FC, 2020–2022 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Tsubasa Nishi (2018–2021 Daegu FC); also played in K League 2 Takumi Kiyomoto (2019 Gangwon FC) Takahiro Nakazato (2019–2020 Gangwon FC) Masatoshi Ishida (2021 Gangwon FC, 2023–present Daejeon Hana Citizen); also played in K League 2 Keita Suzuki (2022–2023 Daegu FC) Yuki Kobayashi (2022 Gangwon FC); also played in K League 2 Jun Amano (2022 Ulsan Hyundai, 2023 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Manabu Saitō (2022 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Keijiro Ogawa (2022 FC Seoul) Ataru Esaka (2023–2024 Ulsan Hyundai) Kazuki Kozuka (2023 Suwon Samsung Bluewings); also played in K League 2 Takuya Shigehiro (2024 FC Seoul) Yuta Kamiya (2024 Gangwon FC) Kyohei Yoshino (2024–2025 Daegu FC) Kento Nishiya (2026–present Pohang Steelers) Kazuki Takahashi (2026–present Bucheon FC 1995); also played in K League 2
Jordan Yazan Al-Arab (2024–present FC Seoul)
Korea DPR Ryang Kyu-sa (2001 Ulsan Hyundai) An Yong-hak (2006–2007 Busan IPark, 2008–2009 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Jong Tae-se (2013–2015 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) An Byong-jun (2022–2023 Suwon Samsung Bluewings, 2024 Suwon FC); also played in K League 2 Ri Yong-jik (2025 FC Anyang, 2026–present Gwangju FC); also played in K League 2
Palestine Éder Lima (2017 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 2019 Seongnam FC); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of Palestine and Brazil
Philippines Álvaro Silva (2015 Daejeon Citizen); also played in K League 2 ※ Dual citizen of the Philippines and Spain
Saudi Arabia Naji Majrashi (2011 Ulsan Hyundai)
Syria Hosam Aiesh (2023 FC Seoul) ※ Dual citizen of Syria and Sweden Pablo Sabbag (2025 Suwon FC) ※ Dual citizen of Syria and Colombia
Tajikistan Valeri Sarychev (1992–1998 Ilhwa Chunma, 2000–2004 LG Cheetahs) ※ Dual citizen of Tajikistan and South Korea Vitaliy Parakhnevych (1995–1998 Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos, 1998–2000 Suwon Samsung Bluewings, 2001 Anyang LG Cheetahs, 2002 Bucheon SK) ※ Dual citizen of Tajikistan and Ukraine
Thailand Piyapong Pue-on (1984–1986 Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso) Sasalak Haiprakhon (2021 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Turkmenistan Sergey Agashkov (1992 Pohang Atoms)
Uzbekistan Server Djeparov (2010–2011 FC Seoul, 2013–2014 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, 2015 Ulsan Hyundai) Timur Kapadze (2011 Incheon United) Alexander Geynrikh (2011 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Ikromjon Alibaev (2019–2020 FC Seoul, 2023 Gangwon FC); also played in K League 2 Rustam Ashurmatov (2020 Gwangju FC, 2021 Gangwon FC); also played in K League 2 Dostonbek Tursunov (2020 Busan IPark) Jamshid Iskanderov (2020–2021 Seongnam FC) Islom Kenjabaev (2021 Jeju United)
Vietnam Lương Xuân Trường (2016 Incheon United, 2017 Gangwon FC) Nguyễn Công Phượng (2019 Incheon United)
Europe (UEFA)
Albania Adnan Oçelli (1996 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Sokol Cikalleshi (2012 Incheon United) Jasir Asani (2023–2025 Gwangju FC) Eljon Sota (2024 Suwon FC) Eraldo Çinari (2026–present Jeju SK)
Armenia Karapet Mikaelyan (1997 Bucheon SK)
Austria Richard Windbichler (2017–2018 Ulsan Hyundai, 2021 Seongnam FC) Lukas Hinterseer (2021 Ulsan Hyundai)
Azerbaijan Anton Kryvotsyuk (2023–present Daejeon Hana Citizen)
Belarus Valery Vyalichka (1996 Ilhwa Chunma)
Belgium Rubenilson (1997–1998 Ilhwa Chunma) ※ Dual citizen of Belgium and Brazil Kevin Oris (2012 Daejeon Citizen, 2013 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 2015–2016 Incheon United) Karel De Smet (2013 Daejeon Citizen) Marvin Ogunjimi (2016 Suwon FC)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Amir Teljigović (1994–1996 Daewoo Royals) Dragan Škrba (1995–1997 Pohang Atoms) Simo Krunić (1996 Pohang Atoms) Alen Avdić (2001–2002 & 2003 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Slaviša Mitrović (2002 Suwon Samsung Bluewings) Jasmin Mujdža (2002 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) ※ Dual citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia Ivan Medvid (2002–2003 Pohang Steelers) ※ Dual citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia Nikola Vasiljević (2006–2007 Jeju United) Jusuf Dajić (2008 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Samir Bekrić (2010 Incheon United) Muhamed Džakmić (2011–2012 Gangwon FC) Vladimir Jovančić (2012 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma) ※ Dual citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia Jovica Stokić (2014 Jeju United) Gordan Bunoza (2017–2020 Incheon United) ※ Dual citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia