World Cup Swans: Ki Sung-Yueng

With the 2018 World Cup upon us, the official website takes a look back at the players who have turned out for the Swans and played on the biggest stage of all.

Today, we focus on Ki Sung-Yueng.

AT THE SWANS

Ki joined the Swans for a fee of £5.5 million in August 2012 and was part of the side that won the Capital One Cup at Wembley six months later, beating Bradford City 5-0 in the final.

He spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Sunderland but became an integral part of the Swans midfield upon his return for the following season.

Ki notably scored in both victories over Manchester United and was named the club's player of the year as they finished eighth - their best final position in the Premier League.

Despite injury problems, the midfielder made a further 86 appearances in all competitions over the next three years - taking his overall tally for the Swans to 160 - before leaving when his contract expired at the end of 2017-18.

AT THE WORLD CUP

Having moved to Celtic from FC Seoul just a few months earlier, Ki was selected in South Korea’s 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He started the tournament in the centre of midfield as Huh Jung-Moo’s side opened against Greece in Group B.

Ki took just seven minutes to make an impact as his pinpoint free-kick was turned in by Lee Jung-Soo, while Park Ji-Sung was also on target in a 2-0 win.

Ki also started his nation’s second game against Argentina but was substituted at half-time as the South Koreans slipped to a 4-1 defeat.

He was in the starting line-up for the final group match against Nigeria, in which he played 87 minutes and assisted his side’s opening goal in a 2-2 draw that saw them through to the last 16.

He also played the first 85 minutes against Uruguay, when his free-kick led to South Korea’s goal, but could not prevent a 2-1 defeat.

Fast-forward four years and, once again, Ki was named in his country’s squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

This time, he was an ever-present for Hong Myung-Bo’s side, who opened with a 1-1 draw against Russia in Group H.

They followed it up with a 4-2 defeat against Algeria, meaning a 1-0 reverse against Belgium was enough to eliminate the Taegeuk Warriors.

Ki, who was named as captain of his country soon after that tournament, will lead them out in this summer's World Cup as he steps out on football’s biggest stage for a third time.