Park Soo-jeong represents the vanguard of a new era in South Korean women’s football. A forward of immense technical quality and tactical intelligence, she has rapidly transitioned from the collegiate fields of Ulsan to the historic stage of Italy’s Serie A Femminile. Known for her clinical finishing and a historic match-winning goal against Germany in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Park is more than just a prospect; she is a pioneer. By bypassing the traditional domestic professional draft to sign with AC Milan, she has established a new blue-chip developmental model for Asian athletes, proving that the leap to Europe’s elite leagues is possible for those with the talent and ambition to pursue it.
At a Glance
- Full Name: Park Soo-jeong (박수정)
- Date of Birth: November 3, 2004
- Place of Birth: Pohang, South Korea
- Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
- Current Club: AC Milan (Italy)
- National Team: South Korea
The Story So Far
Park Soo-jeong’s journey is a masterclass in linear progression and elite preparation. Her story began in the football-rich region of Pohang, where she attended Sangdae Elementary School. It was here that she developed the foundational ball mastery and close control that define her game today. Her potential was formally recognized at just 13 years old when she received the 2017 Cha Bum-kun Football Award for Best Female Player. As the highest individual honor for youth players in South Korea, this award marked her as a future cornerstone of the national team.
Throughout her secondary education at Pohang Hangdo Middle School and Pohang Electronic Girls’ High School, Park remained at the summit of the youth game. Her decision to attend Ulsan College rather than immediately turning professional was inspired, as she used the platform to dominate the university circuit. In 2023, she led Ulsan to a Queen’s Cup title while securing the Top Scorer award, a feat she mirrored in the 2024 Spring Federation tournament.
However, it was on the international stage where Park truly captured global attention. During the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she scored the decisive goal in a -10 victory over Germany—a result hailed as the tournament’s biggest upset. This moment of clinical brilliance propelled South Korea to the knockout stages for the first time in a decade and served as the ultimate audition for European scouts. In July 2025, she made history by becoming the first South Korean female player to sign for AC Milan, fulfilling a lifelong dream and opening a new corridor for future Korean prospects to enter the European game.
Style of Play & Tactical Analysis
Park is a modern, versatile forward who thrives on movement and spatial awareness. Standing at 1.61m with a low center of gravity, she possesses the agility to navigate tight spaces and evade larger defenders. While she is right-footed, her ability to operate across the front line or as an attacking midfielder makes her a flexible asset for any manager.
Her greatest strength is her off-the-ball intelligence. Park does not simply wait for service; she anticipates the play, often making darting runs into pockets of space before the defense can react. This was evident in her debut Serie A goal for AC Milan against Sassuolo, where she found space in a crowded box to score a well-timed header. Despite her smaller stature, her clinical reputation is well-earned, as she requires very few chances to find the back of the net.
Defensively, Park is a tireless worker. She frequently leads the high press, a trait that has endeared her to coaches but also led to an unusually high number of yellow cards during her adaptation to the physical nature of Italian officiating. As she continues to adjust to the speed and strength of Serie A, her blend of technical dribbling and predatory instincts in the final third will likely make her a mainstay in the Milan starting eleven.
Future Outlook
The trajectory for Park Soo-jeong is steeply upward. Secured on a contract with AC Milan until 2028, she has the luxury of time to fully adapt to the European style of play. Her first six months in Italy have already shown her potential as a high-impact player, capable of changing the game from the bench or holding her own in high-stakes fixtures like the Milan Derby.
On the international front, Park is being groomed as the successor to the legendary Ji So-yun. Having already made her senior debut in early 2025, she is expected to be a central figure in South Korea’s plans for the 2026 Asian Cup and the 2027 World Cup. As she refines her physical game and disciplinary control, Park is poised to evolve from a high-ceiling prospect into a genuine global star.
The Trophy Case
| Year | Honour | Team / Award |
| 2017 | Cha Bum-kun Football Award (Best Female Player) | Individual |
| 2023 | Queen’s Cup Champion | Ulsan College |
| 2023 | Queen’s Cup Top Scorer | Individual |
| 2024 | Spring Korea Women’s Soccer Federation Runner-up | Ulsan College |
| 2024 | Spring Federation Top Scorer | Individual |
| 2024 | FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 | South Korea U-20 |
| 2025 | First South Korean Player in Club History | AC Milan Women |
