Quick Facts
Biography
Cho Yong-Hyung (Hangul: 조용형, born 3 November 1983) is a South Korean footballer who plays for Jeju United in K League Classic. He is known for his versatility as he can play as a full-back on either side of the pitch, as well as a centre back and a defensive midfielder.
Cho Yong-Hyung is praised in the K-League for his positional sense and steadiness under pressure. Throughout South Korea, Cho has already become regarded as the successor to Hong Myung-Bo, South Korea’s legendary center half who took part in four FIFA World Cups.
Club career
K-League
Cho debuted for Bucheon SK in the 2005 season, where he was voted into the K-League Best XI after a successful season. He continued with the club in the 2006 season when it converted to Jeju United. In 2007, he spent a season at Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, the most successful K-League club in terms of Championship victories, before transferring back to Jeju United for the 2008 season where he continues to play to this day.
Premier League
In 2010, it was claimed that European interest in Cho had risen. English clubs Aston Villa, Fulham and Newcastle United of the Premier League, had their sights on the South Korean player and would look to sign him in the summer of 2010 after the World Cup.
Qatar Stars League
Cho moved to the Qatar Stars League after the end of the 2010 World Cup to Al Rayyan Sports Club on a 2-year deal, until the end of the 2011-2012 season. After the end of the 2011-2012 season, Cho renewed his contract for one more year which will keep him at the Qatari club until the end of the 2012-2013 season.
International career
Cho made his first appearance for South Korea against Chile on 30 January 2008. Cho was voted best defender at the 2010 East Asian Football Championship. Cho played for South Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Honors
Individual
K-League Best XI: 2005
East Asian Football Championship Best Defender: 2010
Team Titles
Al Rayyan:
Sheikh Jassim Cup: 2012, 2013
Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2012
Qatar Emir Cup: 2011, 2013
Club career statistics
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Korea Republic | League | FA Cup | K-League Cup | Asia | Total | ||||||||
| 2005 | Bucheon SK / Jeju United | K-League | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | - | 35 | 0 | ||||
| 2007 | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | Jeju United | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | 32 | 0 | |||
| 2009 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 25 | 1 | ||||
| 2010 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 16 | 0 | ||||
| Qatar | League | Emir Cup | Sheikh Jassem Cup | Asia | Total | ||||||||
| 2010–11 | Al Rayyan | Qatar Stars League | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |||||
| 2011–12 | 21 | 1 | 21 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |||||||
| Country | Korea Republic | 122 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 166 | 1 | ||
| Qatar | 61 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 69 | 2 | |||||||
| Total | 183 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 235 | 3 | |||