Ji-soo Kim and Ben Winterbottom have both been promoted to Brentford’s first team

Defender Ji-soo Kim and goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom have been promoted to Brentford’s first team.

The young duo will join Thomas Frank’s side from the start of the 2024/25 season.

Ji-soo has impressed for Brentford B since signing from K League Two side Seongnam in June 2023, making 29 appearances and scoring one goal.

The defender has represented South Korea in three different age groups. He played in the Under-20 Asian Cup and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2023. He became one of the most notable players in the latter competition after helping his team reach the semi-finals.

Ji-soo was also part of the senior squad for the 2023 Asian Cup as South Korea crashed out of the competition with a 2-0 defeat to Jordan in the semi-final.

“Ji-soo is another project example here,” said Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve seen a number of players make the jump from the B team to the first team and this is another example of that.

“I applaud Ji-soo because he comes from a completely different culture, he had to learn a new language and settle down.

“Now with this promotion, I hope he will continue to prove his capabilities and work hard to be the best he can be.”

Winterbottom joined MacFarlane’s Liverpool side in January 2021 and has also been a regular coach with Frank’s first team.

The goalkeeper was loaned out to National League South outfit Welling United last term and has kept two clean sheets in 14 appearances.

“Ben has been a fantastic servant for the B team,” said MacFarlane.

“This season featuring again for the B team as well as a loan move has now led to this promotion to the first team.

“He deserves this opportunity for his high level of professionalism and consistency of performance throughout his time at the club.

“He is a reliable young goalkeeper and this is another good step in his career.”