Nam Tae-hee

Nam Tae-hee
Nam with Jeju SK in 2026
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-07-03) 3 July 1991 (age 35)
Place of birth Jinju, Gyeongnam, South Korea
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Brisbane Roar
Number 10
Youth career
2004–2007 Ulsan Hyundai
2007–2008 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Valenciennes 37 (0)
2010–2011 Valenciennes B 8 (4)
2012–2019 Al-Duhail 160 (73)
2019–2021 Al-Sadd 37 (10)
2021–2023 Al-Duhail 34 (11)
2023–2024 Yokohama F. Marinos 20 (2)
2024–2026 Jeju SK 45 (6)
2026– Brisbane Roar 1 (1)
International career‡
2006 South Korea U17 4 (0)
2012 South Korea U23 9 (2)
2011– South Korea 54 (7)
Medal record
Representing  South Korea
Men's football
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2012 London
AFC Asian Cup
Runner-up2015 Australia
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 October 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 27 March 2024
Nam Tae-hee
Hangul
남태희
Hanja
南泰煕
RRNam Taehui
MRNam T'aehŭi

Nam Tae-hee (Korean: 남태희; Hanja: 南泰熙; Korean pronunciation: [nam.tʰɛ̝.ɦi]; born 3 July 1991) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder for A-League Men club Brisbane Roar and the South Korea national team.

Club career

Valenciennes

Nam played in the Reading's Youth Academy through Korean FA Youth Project [ko], but was unable to sign for the club due to work permit issues.

In July 2009, Nam signed his first professional contract with Ligue 1 side Valenciennes. He made his debut against Nancy on 8 August 2009, becoming the youngest Asian player to play in the Ligue 1 at age 18.

During the 2010–11 season, Nam was able to get more opportunities under manager Philippe Montanier, providing three assists in 18 Ligue 1 matches.

Al-Duhail

Nam playing for Lekhwiya in 2015

In the winter break of the 2011–12 season, Nam agreed to leave France for Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya on 26 December 2011. He made his debut on 1 January 2012 against Al Kharaitiyat. He scored his first league goal from a free kick on 19 January 2012. He made his AFC Champions League debut for Lekhwiya on 7 March 2012, scoring the only goal against Al-Ahli Saudi, thereby scoring the first ever goal for Lekhwiya in any regional competition.

Nam scored 12 goals in 24 appearances at the 2013–14 Qatar Stars League, winning the league title as a key forward. He was evaluated as the best player according to league's official statistics, and was selected as one of three nominees for the Qatar Football Association Player of the Year.

On 6 May 2015, Nam contributed to all of Lekhwiya's goals by scoring a goal, providing an assist and winning a penalty in a 3–1 win over Al-Nassr, which was the last group stage match at the 2015 AFC Champions League. This match determined Lekhwiya's first-place finish in the group and Al-Nassr's elimination. Al-Nassr player Fabián Estoyanoff raided Nam from behind at the exit of the field just after the end of the match.

Nam had 14 goals and nine assists in 25 appearances at the 2016–17 Qatar Stars League, bringing his club's fifth league title and his fourth league title. He was named the Qatar FA Player of the Year at the end of the season, defeating Hassan Al-Haydos and Xavi.

Lekhwiya was merged with another QSL club El-Jaish and was rebranded as Al-Duhail prior to the 2017–18 season, but Nam still played as a main player for the club. He helped the club win the league without a defeat for the first time.

On 20 November 2018, Nam injured his anterior cruciate ligament in an international friendly against Uzbekistan. He agreed not to extend his contract with Al-Duhail when taking a rest.

Al-Sadd

On 8 February 2019, Al-Sadd announced that they acquired Nam from fellow Qatari club Al-Duhail. He signed a three-year contract since the 2019–20 season with Al-Sadd. He became Jung Woo-young's teammate at both the club and the national team.

In the 2020–21 season, Nam contributed to Al-Sadd's first unbeaten QSL season like at Al-Duhail.

Return to Al-Duhail

Nam returned to Al-Duhail ahead of the 2021–22 season, and played for the club for two more seasons. He scored 122 goals and won 15 titles including six league titles as he played for the club in 270 matches. On 30 July 2023, Al-Duhail confirmed that he would leave the club.

Yokohama F. Marinos

On 1 August 2023, Nam signed with J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos. He helped Yokohama reach the final at the 2023–24 AFC Champions League. At the Champions League final against Al-Ain, he played as a starter in a 2–1 first leg win, but was absent from the second leg, which ended in a 5–1 loss.

Jeju SK

After two half-seasons with Yokohama F. Marinos, in July 2024 it was announced that Nam would be joining K League 1 club Jeju United (renamed Jeju SK in 2025).

International career

Nam started to represent South Korea at the 2006 AFC U-17 Championship. He made his debut for the senior national team on 9 February 2011 in a friendly against Turkey.

Nam played for South Korea under-23 team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He appeared in all six of South Korea's matches including four matches as a starter, winning a bronze medal.

Nam was named in South Korea's squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup held in Australia. In the team's second group match, Nam scored the only goal as Korea defeated Kuwait 1–0 to ensure qualification to the knockout stage.

Style of play

Nam was skilled in technique and sprint, having confidence in his dribbling. However, he had a small physique, and also had difficulty performing systematic teamwork.

Career statistics

Club

As of 19 July 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Valenciennes 2009–10Ligue 1 601000——70
2010–11Ligue 1 1801020——210
2011–12Ligue 1 1300000——130
Total 3702020——410
Valenciennes B 2009–10 National 3 41————41
2010–11 National 3 32————32
2011–12 National 2 11————11
Total 84————84
Al-Duhail 2011–12Qatar Stars League 10561166
2012–13Qatar Stars League 19670266
2013–14Qatar Stars League 2412923314
2014–15Qatar Stars League 257833310
2015–16Qatar Stars League 251092323714
2016–17Qatar Stars League 251484103418
2017–18Qatar Stars League 21121071343217
2018–19Qatar Stars League 117002010147
Total 160731056138622592
Al-Sadd 2019–20Qatar Stars League 193317151346
2020–21Qatar Stars League 1872232101203512
Total 37102263172716918
Al-Duhail 2021–22Qatar Stars League 165420060—267
2022–23Qatar Stars League 18611713021319
Total 3411537190215716
Yokohama F. Marinos 2023J1 League 90003150—171
2024J1 League 112100060—182
Total 2021031110—353
Jeju SK 2024K League 1 8020———100
2025K League 1 22300———223
Total 30320———323
Career total 3261031251959315178467136
  1. ↑ Includes Coupe de France, Emir of Qatar Cup, Emperor's Cup, Korean FA Cup
  2. ↑ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, Qatari Stars Cup, J.League Cup
  3. ↑ One appearance and one goal in Sheikh Jassim Cup, two appearances and one goal in Qatar Cup
  4. 1 2 Appearance in Sheikh Jassim Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance and one goal in Sheikh Jassim Cup, two appearances and three goals in Qatar Cup
  6. ↑ One appearance in Sheikh Jassim Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup, two appearances and one goal in Qatar Cup
  7. 1 2 Appearances in Qatar Cup

International

Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Nam Tae-hee
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
110 October 2014Cheonan Stadium, Cheonan, South Korea Paraguay2–02–0Friendly
213 January 2015Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia Kuwait1–01–02015 AFC Asian Cup
312 November 2015Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea Myanmar4–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
415 November 2016Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea Uzbekistan1–12–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
57 September 2018Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea Costa Rica2–02–0Friendly
620 November 2018QSAC, Brisbane, Australia Uzbekistan1–04–0Friendly
75 June 2021Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea Turkmenistan2–05–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Al-Duhail

Al-Sadd

Yokohama F. Marinos

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

Notes

  1. ↑ Played for Hyundai Middle School [ko] from 2004 to 2006, and Hyundai High School in 2007, which were academies of Ulsan Hyundai.

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: Al-Sadd SC" (PDF). FIFA. 5 December 2019. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "Nam Taehee". Reading FC. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  3. ↑ "Nam Tae-Hee: I came to Qatar to gain more experience and improve". Qatar Stars League. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  4. ↑ KFA 유학생 출신 남태희' 발랑시엔 공식 입단 (in Korean). KFA. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Nam Tae-hee debütiert als jüngster koreanischer Fußballer bei einem europäischen Erstligisten" (in German). KBS World. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 "Tae-Hee Nam's career". BeSoccer. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "Lekhwiya replace Akram with Korea's Nam Tae-Hee". Qatar Stars League. 26 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "AL KHARITIYATH VS. LEKHWIYA 1 - 1". Soccerway. 1 January 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "LEKHWIYA VS. AL AHLI 1 - 0". Soccerway. 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Nam stunner propels Lekhwiya". Doha Stadium Plus. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  11. 1 2 "QSL Review Magazine for season 2013/2014" (PDF). Qatar Stars League. 21 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "الاعلان عن قائمة الاسماء النهائية المرشحة لجائزة الافضل" (in Arabic). Qatar Stars League. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  13. ↑ '무차별 폭행' 당한 남태희, '빼어난 활약' 때문?. YouTube (in Korean). YTN. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Nam Tae Hee scoops QFA player of the year award". Qatar Stars League. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "Undefeated Al Duhail secure sixth Qatar Stars League title". AFC. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  16. ↑ "Nam Tae-hee to miss Asian Cup due to torn ACL". The Dong-A Ilbo. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  17. ↑ "S. Korean footballer Nam Tae-hee joins new Qatari club". Yonhap News Agency. 8 February 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  18. ↑ "Magnificent Al Sadd secure Qatar Stars League title". AFC. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  19. ↑ "The Korean Magician Leaves…". Al-Duhail SC. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "ナム テヒ選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Yokohama F. Marinos. 1 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "Yokohama FM 2-1 Al Ain (May 11, 2024) Commentary". ESPN. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Al Ain 5-1 Yokohama FM (May 26, 2024) Lineups". ESPN. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "ナム テヒ選手 済州ユナイテッドFCへ完全移籍のお知らせ | ニュース" (in Japanese). Yokohama F. Marinos. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  24. 1 2 "Nam Tae-hee" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  25. 1 2 "Tae-hee Nam » Internationals » Olympic Games". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  26. ↑ "South Korea 2-0 Japan". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  27. ↑ "Few surprises as S. Korea announces roster for Asian Cup football tourney". Yonhap News Agency. 22 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  28. ↑ "South Korea survive scare from Kuwait with 1-0 win in Canberra". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  29. ↑ 벤투식 '대형의 축구' 중원 완성도, 갈 길이 멀다. Daum (in Korean). Sportalkorea. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nam Tae-Hee - Profile". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Nam Taehee". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  32. ↑ "Nam Tae-Hee sa saison en CFA2 Groupe B 2009/2010 avec Libre/Etranger" (in French). Foot National. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  33. ↑ "Nam Tae-Hee sa saison en CFA2 Groupe B 2010/2011 avec Libre/Etranger" (in French). Foot National. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  34. ↑ "Nam, Tae-Hee". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  35. ↑ "AFC Champions League 2018 Technical Report". AFC. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  36. ↑ "AFC Champions League 2019 Technical Report & Statistics". AFC. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.