DFL and Korea Football Association underpin collaboration efforts with Memorandum of Understanding

DFL and KFA presenting the MoU after the ceremony in Seoul, from left to right: Mano Nhouvannasak (Head of Strategic Projects), Dennis Kittel (Head of Southeast Asia), Tomoi Kouchi (Head of East Asia), Kevin Sim (Head of Asia-Pacific, all Bundesliga International), Jeong Bae Kim (Vice President), Hanjin Chun (General Secretary), Daeup Kim (Head of the Technical Department, all Korea Football Association), Matt Kwak (Key Account Manager International, 1. FSV Mainz 05), Christoph Rohmer (Director of Strategy and Business Development, Hamburger SV).
Photo: Korea Football Association
  • DFL and KFA formalise partnership with signing ceremony in Seoul, Korea
  • The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on youth development for Korean football at all levels
  • The DFL and KFA will organise a Korean edition of the Bundesliga Dream talent development project as a central part of the MoU 

21 March 2025 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the Korea Football Association (KFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week in Seoul, formalising both sides’ commitment to the continued growth of Korean football at all levels.

As part of the MoU, the DFL and KFA will work together to advance the technical and sporting expertise within Korea, including a focus on youth development. As part of the agreement, the two organisations will launch the first edition of the Bundesliga Dream project in Korea. In addition, the DFL and its clubs will work with counterparts from the KFA and the respective clubs to share knowledge and expertise for enhancing league and club structures when it comes to the continued development of the K League as a top domestic league. 

The DFL has been the most active European league for supporting football development across Asia in recent years. The Bundesliga Dream activation has been a cornerstone of the league’s efforts, with 10 editions bringing more than 200 promising young footballers to Germany to experience life at elite-level training academies and playing regularly against some of the best young talents in Europe. The initiative aims to create a long-term pathway, which helps to develop the attributes of these players, both on and off the pitch.

The first edition of Bundesliga Dream in Korea will focus on U-16 men’s national team, supporting the squad in their preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar in November, 2025. 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV will each host the team for two weeks, before two players are selected for an additional week of training. 

Both sides have made a clear commitment to one another, and I am particularly pleased to have Bundesliga Dream as a core element of this partnership.

Peer Naubert, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer Bundesliga International

The Bundesliga is one of the most popular European leagues in Korea, with national team stars such as Min-jae Kim (FC Bayern München) and Jae-sung Lee (1. FSV Mainz 05) currently competing in the top-flight. The KFA will support the DFL in continuing to raise the profile of the Bundesliga in Korea, through a range of activations with local stakeholders in the market.

Bundesliga International Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer Peer Naubert said: “From Bum-Kun Cha to Min-jae Kim, the Bundesliga is proud of the deep-rooted association it has with Korean football, which spans many decades. By formalising our long-standing relationship, both sides have made a clear commitment to one another, and I am particularly pleased to have Bundesliga Dream as a core element of this partnership. Through this player pathway, we not only support the development of football in Korea, but create more opportunities for talented young players to train and hopefully one day play in the Bundesliga.”

Working together to advance the technical and sporting expertise within Korea: representatives from the KFA, DFL, 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV in Korea.
Photo: Korea Football Association

Vice President of KFA, Jeong Bae Kim said: “Many Korean national team players, including Heung-min Son and Min-jae Kim, have developed into world-class players with the Bundesliga. I believe this project will also greatly contribute to the growth of talented Korean youth players. Moving forward, we aim to establish a continuous collaborative relationship with the Bundesliga for long-term development.”

Kim was the 23rd Korean to play in the German top-flight, continuing a long tradition of world class Taegeuk Warriors calling the Bundesliga home. From trailblazer Bum-kun Cha, named Asian player of the 20th century after winning the 1980 and 1998 UEFA Cup, as well as the 1981 DFB Pokal, to current national team captain Heung-min Son, who made his name with Hamburger SV before moving to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the Bundesliga has consistently been the stage for the best and most exciting Korean players. Furthermore, the Bundesliga has welcomed more players from the Asian continent than the rest of the other top five European leagues combined.