Gimhae FC 2008 () is a South Korean professional football club based in the city of Gimhae, South Gyeongsang which competes in the K League 2, the second tier of the South Korean football league system..
History
The team was founded as Gimhae City Hall Football Club on 25 January 2008 to participate in the National League.
Semi-Professional League
2008 – Inaugural SeasonIn their first season, the Gimhae finished 5th in both the first and second stages of the season, giving them a final position of 5th overall.
2009 SeasonIn their second season, Gimhae managed to top the table in the first stage of the season, earning them a spot in the championship playoffs. In the semi-final, they beat Suwon City FC 2-1, but lost 2–4 on aggregate to Gangneung City FC.
2010–2019 SeasonsDuring the next decade, Gimhae finished mostly in the bottom half of the table, the exceptions being 2017 and 2018. For these two seasons, the top three positions in the league were identical, leading to similar playoff stories. Gimhae would beat Cheonan City on aggregate to advance to the final, where they would lose to Gyeongju KHNP on aggregate. In 2017 the score was 3-2 for Gyeongju, and in 2018 it was 4-1 for Gyeongju.
2019 would be their final season as a National League team, as the league was integrated into a restructured K3 League.
2020 Season – K3 LeagueGimhae managed to finish at the top of the K3 League table, allowing them to go straight to the championship final where they finally managed to beat Gyeongju KHNP FC in the final with an aggregate score of 2-1.
2021–2024 SeasonsOver the next few seasons, the team finished in the top half of the table, but with the playoff system abolished, there were no more opportunities to become champions other than finishing first overall. Gimhae Citizen announced a change in the club's name to Gimhae FC 2008 from the 2025 season.
2025 Season – Final in Third tierThe team started the season well, earning 10 victories, 1 draw and one loss from their first 12 matches. The last 7 matches of their 12 matches were consecutive victories.
2025 would be their final season as a K3 League team, as the league was switched into a professional team in K League 2.
On 2 November 2025, Gimhae became champions of K3 League after a 1–1 draw against Pocheon Citizen with one game remaining, winning their second K3 League title , to add to their 2020 win.
Professional League
2026 season – K League 2 On 16 January 2026, Gimhae FC 2008 announced official confirmation of their participation in the K League 2 for the 2026 season after final approval of their membership of K League Federation.
On 18 January 2026, Gimhae FC 2008 announced their first official home match in the K League 2 against Ansan Greeners on 28 February 2026 at Gimhae Sports Complex.
Colours and crest
On 9 February 2026, Gimhae FC 2008 announce official new logo and colour is Passion Red and Heritage Gold for 2026 season in K League 2.
Honours
Domestic competitions
League National League Runner-up (1): 2009 K3 League Champions (2): 2020, 2025
Cups National Sports Festival Silver medal (1): 2014
Season by season record SeasonKorea National LeagueKorean FA CupLeague CupTop scorer (League goals)Manager Stage Teams Position2008First Stage14137151617–1225thPreliminary Round 3Quarterfinal Yang Dong-Cheol (9) Park Yang-Ha Second Stage14137152519+6225th2009First Stage14138232620+6261stRound 1Semifinal Chu Woon-Ki (10)Second Stage13124441917+2166thPlayoff4310245–13Runner-up2010First Stage15145361217–51811thPreliminary Round 3Round 1 Lee Jin-Hee (5) Kim Han-Bong Second Stage15145361719–21811th2011Group Stage1426103133944–53310thRound of 32Group Round Yoon Tae-Hyun Kim Won-Min (8)2012Group Stage1426610102634–82811thRound of 32Group Round Jung An-Sung Bang Jung-Rok (4) Kim Gwi-Hwa 2013Group Stage102781273231+1365thRound of 32Group Round 2014Group Stage102768132542-17269thSecond RoundGroup Round2015Group Stage1027611102939-10297thThird RoundSemifinal2016Group Stage102781093734+3346thThird RoundSemifinal2017Group Stage828121423821+17502ndRound of 32Group Round Yoon Sung-hyo2018Group Stage82816844620+26562ndQuarterfinalSemifinal2019Group Stage82877142629-3287thThird RoundGroup RoundSeasonK3 LeagueKorean FA CupLeague CupTop scorer (League goals)Manager Stage Teams Position2020Regular Season162215433918+2149WinnersThird RoundNone Park Hee-Seong (8) Yoon Sung-hyo2021Regular Season152812883935+4445thFourth RoundNone Luan Costa (12)2022Regular Season163012993326+7457thFourth RoundNone Marko Rajkovic (10)2023Regular Season1528131054226+19493rdFirst RoundNone Jang Han-young (11)2024Regular Season1630131164228+13505thThird RoundNone Jung Sang-gyu (11) Son Hyun-jun2025Regular Season152818734820+28611stThird RoundNone Lee Kang-uk (11)SeasonK League 2Korea CupLeague CupTop scorer (League goals)Manager Stage Teams Position2026Regular Season17320000000TBDTBD RoundNone Son Hyun-jun
Current squad As of 4 August 2026.
Out on loan
Backroom staff Coaching staff Manager: Son Hyun-jun Assistant manager: Choi Myung-sung Goalkeeping coach: Baek Min-chul Coach: Kim Je-hwan Fitness coach: Moon min-sung
Notes League references pint to the K3 league. The National League used to be considered the third tier of Korean football, with K3 league being the fourth tier. When the National League was incorporated into the K3 League, the K3 league became the third tier and K4 League became the fourth tier. For results prior to 2020, K3 League refers to the then National League, and K4 League refers to the then K3 League.
See also List of football clubs in South Korea
References
External links Gimhae FC 2008 Official Site Gimhae FC Facebook Gimhae FC Twitter