Beijing Guoan complete signing of South Korean defender Kim Min-jae

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Beijing Guoan have confirmed the signing of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Kim Min-jae for an undisclosed fee, dashing any hopes Watford had of luring him to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old South Korea international, nicknamed 'Monster', has turned heads across Europe with his exceptional defensive solidity, aggressiveness and threat from set-pieces. Watford were keen to bring the starlet to Vicarage Road during this winter transfer window, putting an eight-million-U.S.-dollar bid on the table.

South Korea's Kim Min-jae (R) vies with China's Zhao Xuri during their AFC Asian Cup Group C game at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, January 16, 2019. /VCG Photo

However, Guoan emerged triumphant in the race to sign Kim in a deal that is expected to see him provide much-needed confidence and assurance at the heart of a backline which conceded 45 goals in 30 games, the worst defensive record in the Chinese Super League (CSL) top-four.

Kim, who has made more than 60 appearances for Jeonbuk Motors since joining the club in 2017, could not prevent South Korea from being knocked out by Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals last week despite scoring twice during his side's passage to the last 16, including a powerful header against China in the Group C decider.

CSL club Beijing Guoan unveil a welcome poster for South Korean international Kim Min-jae. /Courtesy of Beijing Guoan official website

Beijing Guoan, coached by former Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt, ended the 2018 CSL season in fourth, 15 points adrift of eventual champions Shanghai SIPG.

Kim will wear the No. 2 shirt at Guoan in the new campaign, which will start on March 1 and finish on November 30.