K League 2 Young Player of the Year
Seo Jae-min, Seoul E-Land
Seo Jae-min of Seoul E-Land received four votes from coaches, three votes from team captains, and 37 votes from the media, earning the title of the best young player in K League 2 for the 2024 season.
Seo Jae-min joined FC Seoul in K League 1 last year but did not get much playing time. This season, he transferred to Seoul E-Land, where he played 29 regular-season matches, scoring two goals and providing one assist, as well as appearing in one K League 2 playoff match.
Throughout the season, Seo displayed consistent performance levels, contributing significantly to Seoul E-Land's historic achievement of finishing third in the league and qualifying for the promotion-relegation playoffs for the first time.
Seo also logged the most minutes among the candidates for Young Player of the Year and was selected for the Round Best XI twice during the season.
This year's Young Player of the Year competition was one of the most closely contested in K League 2 history. Seo won with a combined score of 34.4 points, narrowly edging out Jeonnam's Yoon Jae-seok (33.9 points) by just 0.5 points. Anyang's Chae Hyun-woo followed with 31.6 points.
K League 2 Manager of the Year
Ryu Byung-hoon, Anyang
Ryu Byung-hoon, who led Anyang to its first championship and promotion, was named K League 2 Manager of the Year. Ryu received nine votes from coaches, 10 votes from captains, and 87 votes from the media, showing overwhelming support.
Ryu joined Anyang as an assistant coach in its foundation season in 2013 and held that role until 2017 before moving to Asan Mugunghwa and Seoul E-Land. He returned to Anyang in 2021 as an assistant coach and took over as head coach at the end of 2023.
This season, Anyang started strong with a 2-0 win against Seongnam FC in the season opener. They climbed to the top of the league by Round 10 and never relinquished first place. Anyang achieved a four-match winning streak from Rounds 4 to 7 and suffered only one losing streak throughout the season. They also boasted the league's second-best defensive record, conceding just 36 goals. With consistent performance, Anyang maintained their lead and ultimately lifted the championship trophy.
K League 2 MVP
Matheus Oliveira (Anyang)
The 2024 K League 2 MVP was Matheus Oliveira of Anyang. The Brazilian forward received 12 votes from coaches, eight from captains, and 82 from the media, dominating every category.
In his debut season, Matheus scored seven goals and provided 11 assists across all 36 matches, contributing greatly to Anyang’s championship win. He also led the league in key passes (66) and ranked second for shots on target (39) and third in successful passes into the final third (489).
Matheus ended the season as a triple crown winner, securing the MVP, Top Assists, and Best XI Forward awards. This marks the first time an Anyang player has won the MVP award since the club’s founding in 2013. Alongside their championship, Anyang also celebrated their manager’s award and MVP title.
K League 2 Top Scorer Award
The K League 2 Top Scorer Award went to Bruno Mota of Cheonan City. The Brazilian striker joined the team in 2022 when it competed in the K3 League and made his K League 2 debut after the club’s professional transition last season.
Mota scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 35 games this season, leading the league in goals and goal contributions (including assists). His impressive season truly began with his first goal of the year during the Round 2 match against Chungbuk Cheongju and continued throughout the year.
He demonstrated versatility in scoring, tallying seven goals with his head, six with his left foot, and three with his right. He also scored more than one goal in four separate matches and played a significant role in Cheonan’s improvement from last season’s last-place finish to ninth this season.
K League 2 Top Assists Award
The Top Assists Award was won by Matheus of FC Anyang. In his debut season in the K League, Matheus played all 36 matches, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists.
He notched his first assist in Round 5 against Ansan Greeners and consistently contributed to Anyang’s offensive success throughout the season. Notably, Matheus was the only player in K League 2 to reach double-digit assists, making him an integral part of Anyang’s championship-winning campaign.
K League 2 Best XI
Goalkeeper
Kim Da-sol (Anyang)
Veteran goalkeeper Kim Da-sol, in his 15th professional season, is named in the Best XI for the first time. He joined Anyang this season and played 35 matches, allowing just one goal per game on average and achieving 11 clean sheets.
Kim’s excellent shot-stopping and precise long-kick distribution were highlights, recording a league-high 248 long kicks and 88 successful ones. His efforts were pivotal to Anyang’s title-winning performance.
"I sincerely thank Mayor Choi Dae-ho, Head Coach Ryu Byung-hoon, Coach Choi Ik-hyung, and the rest of the coaching staff, as well as FC Anyang fans. Despite concerns before the season started, the team brought me in and placed unconditional trust in me. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to repay that trust every day, which has led to this moment. I feel a little lighter now that I am here. I will continue working hard to make next year just as rewarding."
Defenders
Kim Dong-jin (Anyang)
Played 33 matches, scored five goals, and assisted three. For the second consecutive year, Kim was named to the Best XI. Known for his offensive contribution as a defender, he recorded 29 shots with 15 reaching the target, excelling both offensively and defensively.
“Thank you for awarding me the Best XI for the second year in a row. I want to thank Mayor Choi Dae-ho for always supporting and assisting FC Anyang. I am also grateful to Head Coach Ryu Byung-hoon, the coaching staff, the support staff, the club office, my fellow players, and the fans. Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to my family for their unwavering encouragement. I will prepare diligently to be deserving of this honour again next year.”
Osmar Ibáñez (Seoul E-Land)
Transitioned from K League 1 to K League 2 this season and scored seven goals in 28 matches. Osmar’s consistent performances were crucial in Seoul E-Land achieving its best-ever finish of third in the league.
“I’m happy to receive this award. First, I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me. I am also grateful to my teammates and the coaching staff who helped me achieve the performances and records that led to this award.”
Lee Chang-yong (Anyang)
Captain Lee Chang-yong earned his first Best XI selection in his 12th year as a professional. Despite missing late-season matches due to injury, he led the team with 135 clearances and anchored Anyang’s defense.
"I believe this award is not just for me but for the entire team, as we united to achieve great results this season. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the players and staff who made this possible. Thank you very much."
Lee Tae-hee (Anyang)
Played 36 matches, scored two goals, and provided two assists. Lee’s goals were memorable as they came during injury time, showcasing his concentration in crucial moments.
"It has been an amazing season with FC Anyang, and to cap it off with this award makes it the best year ever. I am deeply thankful to the head coach, coaching staff, teammates, and everyone who worked so hard this year. Next season, I’ll strive to deliver strong performances in K League 1."
Midfielders
Luis Mina (Gimpo)
Scored 15 goals and assisted three in 34 matches, finishing second in the league for goals. Luis Mina also led in cumulative Adidas Points, a metric for overall performance, and was selected for the Best XI for the second consecutive season.
“It is an honour to be selected for the Best XI and receive this award for the second year in a row. I want to thank Head Coach Ko Jung-woon, the coaching staff, support staff, teammates, and the club officials. I’m also grateful to the Golden Crew supporters and my family, who have stood by me this season. Thank you to everyone.”
Kim Jung-hyun (Anyang)
Played 33 matches and recorded 2 goals and 2 assists. Kim played a crucial linking role between defense and attack, contributing to Anyang’s overall success.
"It is a great honour to be awarded the Best XI. I believe this is not just a personal achievement but one earned through the team’s excellent performance and the sacrifices and dedication of everyone at FC Anyang. I want to thank all the fans who supported us, as well as my family, parents, and girlfriend, who always stood by me."
Valdivia (Jeonnam)
Scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 33 matches. His standout performances led Jeonnam to a playoff berth, and he was his team’s top scorer for the second year in a row.
“I am thrilled to receive this award. First, I want to thank my teammates for their support and the Jeonnam Dragons for believing in me. I dedicate this award to my family and the fans who cheer me on. I will work harder next year to reach even greater heights.”
Juninho Rocha (Chungnam Asan)
Scored 12 goals and assisted eight in his first season with Chungnam Asan. Juninho’s 20 goal contributions ranked second in the league, and his performances helped Asan secure second place and a playoff spot.
"First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the fans and everyone who made this award possible. I also thank the head coach, coaching staff, teammates, and supporters who stood by us. I will continue working to achieve more dreams and contribute to Chungnam Asan’s success."
Forwards
Matheus Oliveira (Anyang)
Scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 36 matches. Matheus ended the season with the most goal contributions for his team, was named round MVP twice, and was selected in the Round best XI eight times this season.
“First and foremost, I thank God, my family, the coaching staff, my teammates, the FC Anyang office staff, and everyone who voted for me. This season, we all worked tirelessly toward our goal of promotion, and this award reflects the effort and dedication of everyone involved. I am deeply grateful for this honour.”
Bruno Mota (Cheonan)
Scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 35 matches, contributing to nearly half of Cheonan’s total goals this season. Mota’s multiple attacking awards reflect his dominant season.
“First, I thank God, my family, especially my wife and son, and Head Coach Kim Tae-wan and the coaching staff, as well as my teammates. Without their support, I would not be here today. I am thrilled and honoured to be named to the Best XI and to receive this award. I will continue striving to perform at my best.”