■ Foreign goalkeepers can be registered starting from 2026
Foreign goalkeeper registration will be allowed from 2026. In the mid- 1990s , when the K League was operated with eight teams , most clubs used foreign goalkeepers as starters. In order to foster domestic goalkeepers, the number of games foreign goalkeepers could play was gradually limited starting in 1996, and the registration of foreign goalkeepers was completely banned in 1999 .
The board stated that it took into consideration the fact that the registration of foreign players in the special position of goalkeeper is restricted, resulting in an excessive increase in the salary of domestic players compared to field players , and that the number of clubs has increased significantly compared to when the foreign goalkeeper restriction was introduced, so that even if foreign goalkeepers are allowed, domestic goalkeepers will have sufficient playing opportunities . Accordingly , the provision in the K League competition guidelines that goalkeepers must be domestic players will be deleted from 2026 , and this will apply to both K League 1 and K League 2 .
https://www.kleague.com/news_view.do?seq=92798&orderBy=seq&viewOption=album&page=1