South Korean · Seoul, South Korea · Born 22 May 1953South Korea's first football superstar, a fearless and prolific goal-poacher who took Europe by storm during a dazzling career in the Bundesliga.
Cha Bum-kun was born in Seoul, South Korea on 22 May 1953. Widely regarded as South Korea's greatest ever footballer, Cha Bum-kun was a lightning-quick forward with superb technical ability and an exceptional goalscoring record. At a time when Asia had almost no presence in European football, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1978 — becoming one of the first Asian players to succeed in European football. He was outstanding in the Bundesliga, scoring 98 goals in 308 appearances for Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen combined. With Frankfurt he won the UEFA Cup in 1980, and with Bayer Leverkusen he won the UEFA Cup again in 1988. He was named Asian Football Confederation Player of the Century. For South Korea he earned 136 caps and scored 58 goals — records at the time. He later managed South Korea and other clubs in Asia.
First Asian player to achieve major success in European football
He won the UEFA Cup with two different clubs — Eintracht Frankfurt in 1980 and Bayer Leverkusen in 1988 — and was voted the AFC Player of the Century for his trailblazing impact on Asian football.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical striker with excellent positioning, strong in the air, and deadly finishing ability
Lasting Impact
Pioneered the path for Asian players in European football and is considered South Korea's greatest footballer
Career Honours
- UEFA Cup 1980 (Frankfurt), 1988 (Leverkusen)
- AFC Player of the Century
- Bundesliga 1983
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darmstadt | 1978–1980 | — | 98 | #10 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 1980–1983 | 130 | 58 | #10 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 1983–1986 | 108 | 46 | #10 |
 South Korea | — | 136 | 58 | — |
South Korean Athletes