Cha Du-ri


Cha Du-ri is a retired South Korean professional footballer. He played as a right back, right winger, or striker. He is the first Korean player who was born outside of Korea to have played in a FIFA World Cup. Cha's father, Cha Bum-Kun played in the 1986 World Cup. Cha Du-Ri has also played for one of his father's old clubs, Eintracht Frankfurt. During the third-place match of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup against Uzbekistan, Cha captained the national team in place of the regular Korean captain, Park Ji-Sung.

Early life

Cha was born in Frankfurt am Main in West Germany, when his father Cha Bum-Kun was starring in the German Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, and spent his childhood in Germany while his father was playing for Frankfurt and later for Bayer Leverkusen. Cha remained living in West Germany until he moved to South Korea when he was ten. Growing up, Cha was described by his father as "a very optimistic mindset", who is "open and honest".

Club career

Early career in Germany

Cha started out at Korea University before starting his club career in Germany, starting at Bayer Leverkusen, where he joined on 28 July 2002. However, he did went straight to the first team at Bayer Leverkusen and was loaned out to Arminia Bielefeld for the 2002–03 season.
It was not until on 11 September 2002 when he made his Arminia Bielefield debut in his first start, in a 1–1 draw against Kaiserslautern. Since then, Cha established himself in the first team at Arminia Bielefield and then on 25 January 2003, he scored his first goal for the club, as well as, setting up a goal, in a 2–2 draw against Werder Bremen. Later in the 2002–03 season, Cha made twenty–two appearance and scoring once for the club.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Despite Arminia Bielefield's interests to keep him on for the second time, Cha opted to join Eintracht Frankfurt instead on a two-year loan deal.
Cha made his Eintracht Frankurt debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–1 loss against Bayern Munich. Since making his debut for Eintracht Frankfurt, Cha began to play as a striker and remained in the first team despite struggling to score. It was not until on 22 February 2004 when he scored his Eintracht Frankfurt goal, in a 2–1 win over Hertha. After finishing the season, which saw the club relegated to Bundesliga, Cha made thirty–three appearances and scoring once in all competitions and following this, he joined the club on a permanent basis in the summer, signing a two–year contract, keeping him until 2006.
After missing out a game at the start of the season, due to international commitment Cha's first game after signing for Eintracht Frankfurt on a permanent basis came on 15 August 2004, coming on as a substitute in the second half, in a 2–1 win over Karlsruher SC. Cha then scored his first goal since joining them in the summer on 22 September 2004, in a 4–2 win over Greuther Fürth in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. By the end of 2004, Cha scored two more goals against LR Ahlen on 26 October 2004 against Wacker Burghausen on 10 December 2004. Cha later scored six more goals later in the season against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, Unterhaching, Erzgebirge Aue, Eintracht Trier 05 and Rot-Weiß Erfurt. After helping the club promoted back to Bundesliga, Cha went on to finish the 2004–05 season, making thirty–two appearances and scoring nine times in all competitions.
In the 2005–06 season, Cha continued to be in the first team and scored his first goal of the season, just after he came on as a late substitute for Christoph Preuß, in a 1–1 draw against Hamburg on 17 September 2005. After suffering from an injury that kept him out for weeks, Cha returned to the first team and was not until on 22 October 2005, in a 6–3 win over Köln Cha then played in a right–back position on 9 December 2005 for the first time, in a 1–0 win over Borussia Dortmund and scored against them in the second meeting this season, in a 1–1 draw on 6 May 2006. Though he lost his first team place right throughout the season, Cha managed to regain it when he began to play in the right–back position for the rest of the season and was an unused substitute in the final of DFB-Pokal, in a 1–0 loss against Bayern Munich. Despite this, Cha made thirty appearance and scoring three times in all competitions.

Mainz

With his contract expiring at the end of the season at Eintracht Frankfurt, Cha joined Mainz on a free transfer on 14 May 2006, signing a two–year contract.
After appearing as an unused substitute in the opening game of the season, Cha made his Mainz debut on 19 August 2006, where he made his first start, in a 1–1 draw against Borussia Dortmund. Before the 2006–07 season kicked off, Cha Du-Ri changed his position from striker to right wingback for Mainz but throughout the season, he was hampered with a foot injury that prevented him from joining the starting line-up or even getting some playing time. Despite this, Cha Du-Ri went on to make thirteen appearance in all competitions at Mainz.
After the 2006–07 season, Mainz were relegated to 2. Bundesliga, and subsequently after, Cha terminated the contract.

Koblenz

During the 2007 off-season, Cha signed a transfer-free contract with Koblenz in 2. Bundesliga for the 2007–08 season.
Cha made his debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, where he played in midfield, in a 4–1 loss against his former club, Mainz. He also has switched his positions back to right winger, supporting striker, and the centre forward position, after his failure to adjust to right wingback for Mainz. It was not until on 23 November 2007, Cha scored his first Koblenz goal, just after coming on as a substitute, in a 2–0 win over Wehen Wiesbaden. Although he missed out with an injury as the 2007–08 season progressed
At the start of the 2008–09 season, Cha started the season well when he set up one of the goals, in a 3–0 win over Oberhausen in the opening game of the season. In a match against Rot Weiss Ahlen on 28 November 2008, Cha provided a hat–trick assists, in a 4–0 win for Koblenz. Later in the 2008–09 season, Cha scored two more goals against Hansa Rostock and Duisburg. Despite missing out one game, due to injury, Cha went on to make thirty–four appearances in all competitions.

Freiburg

After two years at the club, Cha left TuS Koblenz despite their attempt to keep him when his contract expired at the end of the 2008–09 season. and signed a contract for two years with Freiburg.
Cha made his Freiburg debut, where he made his first start and played the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Hamburger SV in the opening game of the season. Cha scored his first goal for the club, which turned out to be his winning goal, in a 1–0 win over Schalke 04. However, as the 2009–10 season progressed, Cha continued to remain in the first team until he suffered an injury that kept him out for the season. Cha finished his first season at Freiburg, making twenty–five appearance and scoring once in all competitions.

Celtic

Following interest from Celtic, Cha arrived in Glasgow for a medical on 30 June 2010. In an interview regarding his move to Parkhead, Cha expressed his desire to compete in an Old Firm derby. Cha signed for Celtic pending approval of a work permit. In doing so he joined up with his national teammate Ki Sung-Yeung.
On 28 July 2010, Cha made his Celtic debut in the UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round against Braga, a 3–0 defeat and on 14 August made his SPL debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a 1–0 win over the Highland side. Cha then scored his first Celtic goal against St Johnstone in the SPL on 26 December 2010. However, international commitment and his own injury limited him to twenty–one appearances and scoring once in all competitions in his first season at Celtic.
In the 2011–12 season, Cha continued to struggle at the start of the season, due to his international commitment and his own injury concern. Cha also faced competitions with new signing Adam Matthews over the right–back position. Cha scored an own goal in a UEFA Europa League match against Rennes, which resulted a 1–1 draw, ‘’"after Benoît Costil was making its way harmlessly through to Fraser Forster but there appeared to be no communication between him and Cha Du-ri, who helped it on and then watched in horror as the ball slipped past the Hoops keeper and in to the net."’’ Despite suffering from an injury during the international commitment, Cha was given a handful of first team appearances following Emilio Izaguirre’s injury by the end of the year. Then on 25 March 2012, Cha was sent off in the Old Firm derby, which Celtic lost 3–2. After serving a one match suspension, Cha returned to the first team on 22 April 2012 against Motherwell and scored in a 3–0 win.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

On 8 June 2012, Cha agreed a two-year contract with newly promoted German Bundesliga club Fortuna Düsseldorf. In the last months at Celtic, Cha criticised the playing style in Scottish Football, stating: "at Celtic we were expected to win every game and most of the time we managed it."
Despite appearing as an unused substitute in a match against Wacker Burghausen in the first round of DFB–Pokal, which saw Fortuna Düsseldorf win 1–0, Cha was out of the squad for weeks, which was later to be revealed as personal issues and was given a special leave a result. It was not until on 22 September 2012 when he made his Fortuna Düsseldorf debut, where he came on as a late substitute, in a 0–0 draw against his former club, Freiburg.
However, Cha's first team opportunities was soon limited, due to his own injury concern and continuously given a special leave for the second time this season. As a result, Cha was released by Fortuna Düsseldorf on 13 February 2013 despite having a year to his contract left.

FC Seoul

On 25 March 2013, Cha agreed a two-year contract with Seoul in K League Classic, marking his first club at South Korea in his career.
Cha made his Seoul debut on 14 April 2013, in a 1–1 draw against Suwon Samsung Bluewings after missing out the first two matches. Cha continued to be in the first team at Seoul despite sidelined. After being suspended in the previous leg, Cha played in the second leg of the AFC Champions League Final against Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, but did not win after Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao win on away goal. Despite this, Cha finished his first season, making thirty–five appearances in all competition.
The 2014 season saw Cha continued to be a first team regular at the club and made an impressive display that would see him earn a spot for the World Cup in Brazil, but it never happened, as he was cut from the 23 man squad. Despite missing out several matches, due to international commitment on two occasions, Cha made thirty–seven appearances in all competitions and at the end of the 2014 season, Cha was named K League Classic Best XI. Cha was also shortlisted for K League Most Valuable Player, but lost out to Lee Dong-gook. Following this, Cha signed a new contract with the club, signing a one-year contract extension.
However, the 2015 season saw Cha continued to be in the first team regular despite suffering from injuries. Then in May, Cha was appointed as Seoul new captain, succeeding Koh Myong-jin, who departed for Al-Rayyan. Cha then scored his first Seoul goal on 11 July 2015, in a 3-1 loss against Pohang Steelers. Cha then scored his second goal on 19 September 2015, in a 3-0 win over Suwon Samsung Bluewings. After making thirty-five appearances and scoring two times in all competitions, it was announced on 31 October 2015, Cha announced his retirement after winning the final of Korean FA Cup despite of the rest of 3 matches of 2015 K League Classic. Despite this, Cha was named K League Classic Best XI for the second time at the end of the season.

International career

Cha was noticed by coach Guus Hiddink when the national team played a practice match against Korea University. Strong, aggressive and pacey, he was still playing amateur football when he made his debut for the South Korea national team in 2001. Cha then scored his first goal for the national team in a friendly match against Costa Rica on 20 April 2002.
Cha was included in the South Korea football team for 2002 World Cup, even though his playing time was limited to off-the-bench appearances. South Korea surprised the football world by advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament, beating Spain and Italy along the way. Their run ended in the semi-finals when they were eliminated after losing, 1–0, to Germany, with Michael Ballack netting the only goal. Cha played in the 2004 Asian Cup, scoring a goal in the game against Kuwait. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 4–3 loss to Iran.
Cha was left off Korea's roster for the 2006 World Cup, and instead acted as a colour commentator for MBC's live telecasts of the tournament's games alongside his father. Pim Verbeek, South Korea's head coach, added him into his squad for the qualification of the 2007 Asian Cup but was not selected for the final team. On 14 October 2009, Cha was called back to international duty against Senegal. It was the first time Cha had been selected for the Korean national team since late 2006.
After being called up by the national for the provisional squad for the World Cup, Cha was called up in the final squad despite facing injury that kept him out of the squad. In the 2010 World Cup, Cha played as an attacking right-back during the first half of the game against Greece, venturing forward and providing an attacking threat on the right side. During the second half, South Korea were leading so he stayed back in a more defensive role for his side. He did not take part in the following qualifying match against Argentina and South Korea lost 4–1. He was influential in the next match draw against Nigeria. On 26 June, Cha played his 50th game for South Korea in a 1–2 loss against Uruguay.
Cha was selected for the final team for the 2011 Asian Cup and started in every game as the team made it to the semifinals before losing to Japan via penalties following a 2–2 draw. He was made captain of the team in the third place match against Uzbekistan, replacing Park Ji-Sung, who had retired from international duty following the loss to Japan.
Cha was not selected for the 2014 World Cup but was called up to play in the 2015 Asian Cup. Cha played his last international cap against Australia in the tournament's final match where Australia won 2–1. He announced his international retirement after the match. Following this, Cha was named AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament. However, he was called up for a final international match in a friendly against New Zealand, where he received a standing ovation following his substitution at half time.

Club statistics

Honours

Club

;Celtic
;FC Seoul
;South Korea
DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
20 April 2002Daegu1 goal2–0Friendly match
18 February 2004Suwon1 goal2–02006 World Cup qualification
14 July 2004Seoul1 goal1–1Friendly match
27 July 2004Jinan1 goal4–02004 Asian Cup

Personal life

Cha married his wife Shin Hye-Sung, the daughter of a wealthy hotel magnate, in 2008. Their daughter, the first of two children, was born in February 2010. In August 2012, Cha and his wife were separated after it was revealed that his wife was unwilling to live in Germany following his move to Fortuna Düsseldorf and was given a special leave as a result. In April 2013, Cha filed for divorce from his wife. Three years on, the divorce was finalised and the court was favour of Shin Hye-Sung after rejecting claims that Cha was treated unfairly by his wife, due to lack of evidence, as well as, his request for parental rights and custody of the couple's two children.
He is the son of Cha Bum-kun, who is regarded as the best football player in Korean history. Cha can understand English and he reads, writes, speaks native German and Korean, also fluent in Dutch.