Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan), Ahn Young-gyu (Gwangju), Zeca (Pohang), and Thiago (Daejeon) will compete for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 season of professional soccer’s K League 1.
The KFA announced the nominees for the best coach, MVP, Young Player, Best 11 and other individual awards for the 2023 Hana OneQ K League 1 and K League 2.
The nominees for the individual awards were selected by a nomination committee composed of experts such as members of the federation’s technical committee (TSG), reporters, and commentators, and based on the list of nominees for each category submitted by each club, four multiples of each category were selected, taking into account record indicators and performances.
Kim Young-kwon anchored Ulsan’s defense in 31 league appearances this season, helping the club win back-to-back titles, while Gwangju captain Ahn Young-gyu scored two goals and provided two assists in 31 games to lead the “Promotion Team Surge.
Zeca has poured in 12 goals and seven assists this season to help Pohang finish second in the league, while Thiago has 16 goals and six assists to lead the league in offensive points (22) through 37 rounds.
The race for K League 1 Coach of the Year was narrowed down to Kim Ki-dong (Pohang), Lee Jung-hyo (Gwangju), Cho Sung-hwan (Incheon) and Hong Myung-bo (Ulsan).
Kim Joo-chan (Suwon), Lee Ho-jae (Pohang), Jeong Ho-yeon (Gwangju) and Hwang Jae-won (Daegu) were nominated for the Young Player Award.
In K League 2, Valdivia (Jeonnam), Won Doo-jae (Gimcheon), Lee Hando (Busan), and Jorge (Cheongju, Chungbuk) put their names forward for MVP.
The nominees for the coach’s award are Choi Jung-woon (Gimpo), Park Jin-seop (Busan), Lee Young-min (Bucheon), and Jung Jung-yong (Gimcheon), while the nominees for the young player award are Kim Min-joon (Gimcheon), Ahn Jae-joon (Bucheon), Cho Sung-kwon (Gimpo), and Cho Woo-je (Busan).
The winners will be selected from the nominees announced today, and will be voted on by each club’s managers (30%), captains (30%), and media (40%) from the 28th.
One coach, one MVP, and one Young Player will be awarded, while the Best 11 will include a goalkeeper, four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers. The Best 11 defenders and midfielders will be divided into left, right, and center.
The awards ceremony will be held on Dec. 4 at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. 사설토토