Song Chong gug

Career

From 2001 to 2002, Song played in the K-league for his hometown team Busan I'cons, now known as Busan I'Park, before he became famous.

In 2002 Song became a superstar virtually overnight when he played in 2002 FIFA World Cup, and contributed greatly to Korea's victories against Poland, Portugal, Italy, and Spain.

Song was a virtually unknown to most South Korea fans before 2001. Song had made his international debut against Macedonia in June 2000 under Huh Jung-Moo, Hiddink's predecessor, but had not yet developed well. When Guus Hiddink arrived to take over the reins, he received mass criticism from the Korean public when he chose the inexperienced Song in Korean starting line-up for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, to replace the popular but injured captain Hong Myung Bo for the tournament. Under Guus Hiddink's expert guidance Song developed into a key player that was always one of the first names to go on Hiddink's team sheet during the 2002 World Cup.

One of the reasons Hiddink rated Song so highly was his uncanny ability to shut down opposing players - against the highly fancied Portugal, Song was deployed as a wingback and successfully marked a (although injured) Luís Figo out of the game during Korea's group match, greatly reducing the threat to Korea's defence. Ironically, Song started his professional career as a right winger and Luís Figo was his greatest idol.

After the 2002 World Cup, Song left Korea to play for Dutch giants Feyenoord. He was a defender for Feyenoord most of the time, but played a couple of matches on the midfield. Song spent about three years in Rotterdam, playing in 53 matches, and scoring two goals and seven assists. When Feyenood hired a new manager, Song never managed to impress him.

After leaving Feyenoord, Song returned to Korea in 2005 to play in the K-league with Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Song has had a left ankle injury, which prevented him from making a comeback in 2005. Although Song was not able to recover as fast as he hoped, and only was able to play in late March 2006, prospect of his recovery was enough to guarantee his place in the South Korean squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

He signed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab Riyadh in the summer of 2010 and decided to start a new experience in the Saudi Professional League.

He joined to Ulsan Hyundai on 8 February 2011, signing a one-year contract. Having made 13 league appearances for Ulsan, he had his contract canceled by mutual consent on 5 July 2011.

He joined Chinese outfit Tianjin Teda the next day, signing a one-and-half-year contract. However, Song was released by Tianjin in the end of the 2011 league season.

Personal life

In 2003, Song married Kim Jung-Ah to the surprise of many of his fans after dating Kim since April 2001. Before the marriage, he had been linked with multiple celebrities including Lee Jin, a member of a Korean girl band Fin.K.L.. He presented a bigger surprise three years later by getting divorced. On 17 December 2006, he married actress and model Park Yun-Soo after an 18-month relationship. The wedding was held privately in front of 100 family and friends. Song became a father six months after the wedding. In October 2015, Song divorce his wife.

Club career statistics

As of 18 November 2011

International goals

Honours

Suwon Bluewings

Tianjin Teda

Variety shows