"Brentford, I am your new Kim Min-Jae and will be back in the summer to play in the Europa League after improving my game in Germany", BULLISH Kim Ji-soo Exclusive

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone

Kim Ji-soo has won a legion of admirers in Germany during his season-long loan spell with 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

After making three cameo appearances for Brentford in the Premier League against Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa last season, the South Korean centre-back and the club decided it would be in his best interest to drop down a level or two to gain experience and playing time.

And he feels he hasn’t just improved, but has significantly powered up over the last 10 months at the club where German great Mario Basler kicked off and ended his stellar Bundesliga career. In Super Mario Bros terms, Kim has collected Super Mushrooms and earned stars along the way to get to a new level.

In an exclusive interview with Capital Football London, the 2004-born defender said as much.

“It’s been a good time at 1. FC Kaiserslautern. I’ve played a lot of games and I think I’ve performed quite well.

“I am happy. This has been a good experience for me, and I feel ready to take the next step to another level.

“I am really happy to have made the decision to come here.

“I’ve added things like taking responsibility when I play.”

Kim Ji-Soo has had a front-row seat to one of South Korea’s greatest-ever centre-backs, Kim Min-jae, who plays his club football for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

His compatriot was still playing for Chinese side Beijing Guoan when Fenerbahçe offered him his first European platform at almost 25 before going on to win league titles with Napoli and the Bavarian giants.

Time is therefore on Kim Ji-Soo’s side, and the Brentford loanee hopes to follow a similar career path in the future.

He said:“I don’t really have one specific inspiration, but Kim Min-jae is on another level, you know?

“He’s in his prime now and he’s really good.

“He’s in the top 10 centre-backs in the world, and I really respect him.

“He’s not just one of the best in the Bundesliga, but one of the best in the world.”

A number of world-class talents have emerged from the Kaiserslautern academy in the past, including Fritz Walter, Miroslav Klose, and Robin Koch, all of whom went on to enjoy terrific top-level careers.

Kim Ji-Soo praised the club for knowing how to bring the best out of young players and which buttons to push.

He said: "This club is really good for young players because you get a lot of game time.

“This is a very famous and traditional team in Germany.

“Off the pitch as well, when you meet people outside, everyone is really kind.

“I feel comfortable here. It’s like my home.”

But will we see Kim back in west London next season?

He said: “Normally, yes. I’ll go back for pre-season and for the medical tests.

“But I don’t know yet what will happen; it’s difficult to say.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life.

“I didn’t expect to join this team [in the first place].

“Next season I will be with Brentford, but I don’t know for sure yet.

“Keith Andrews? We haven’t spoken yet. I’m not sure what he thinks of me.

“But the season is not over; I have to focus on the last three games here.”

Over 810 kilometres lie between Der Betzenberg and the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford are pushing for European football against all expectations.

And despite a recent dip in form, Kim is confident the Bees can still secure a Europa League spot next season.

He said: "I think they can qualify for the Europa League; it’s possible.

“Now they are eighth, but very close to sixth place with five games to go. If they get three or four wins, it’s possible.”

Fellow centre-backs Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins have surely played a huge part in Brentford’s impressive season.

Kim, 21, said: "They are also young players, but they have more experience than me!

“They are really good talents.

“I respect every player at Brentford and at Kaiserslautern.

"Sometimes things go well, sometimes not.

"But that’s football, that’s life.”