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Five big off-season transfers ahead of the 2012 K-League season
The 2012 K-League season begins on March 3 and following an off-season full of transfer activity, Goal.com has taken a look at the five biggest player movements in South Korea
22/02/2012 12:00:00 PM
Ulsan Hyundai
ANALYSIS
By Kim Hyun-Min
The 2012 K-League season will be a year of uncharted territory in South Korea with the introduction of the new 'split-system'. The new campaign gets underway in less than a fortnight on March 3, and already there is anticipation building.
However, there's also a lot of excitement following some big off-season transfers which has everyone guessing who has the strongest squad for the 2012 campaign, with the silverware well and truly up for grabs following the departure of title-winning Jeonbuk Motors coach Choi Kang-Hee to the national team job.
Indeed, Goal.com has decided to take a look at the five biggest off-season player transfers in the K-League.
The 25-year-old striker has the nickname 'Han Persie' for his strong left foot and similar characteristics to the Arsenal star. Han was the ace player for Busan, and Seongnam bought him by sacrificing Jang Hak-Young and spending €1 million. Right after joining Seongnam, Han had a major impact. He scored three goals and provided three assists in two games during the Hong Kong Challange Cup. He has been called up to the Korean national team and is expecting a debut soon under Choi Kang-Hee.
Kim, 29, was arguably the highest-profile free agent during the off-season. He played as a striker last term for Sangju Sangmu and scored 15 goals, making him the third highest goalscorer in the league before his late-season switch to Seongnam. He can play as a central or defensive midfielder making him a very versatile player. Jeonbuk manager Lee Heung-Sil said: "This year's tactics will rely on where Kim plays. He can play in so many different positions we are preparing several options." He is now the league's best-paid player at €1 million per year.
Lee scored 15 goals last season for Gamba Osaka making him the third highest goalscorer in the J-League. In order to commit to his national service, he has opted to return to Korea and join Ulsan. The 26-year-old South Korea international can play up front and on the flanks. Ulsan manager Kim Ho-Gon praised his abilities and said: "He will now be our new engine in attack." During his 15-day training in Jeju, he scored six goals during nine practice matches and now has huge expectations on his shoulders for the upcoming K-League term.
One of the star members of the 2002 World Cup team that reached the semi-finals, Seol enjoyed a good season last year with Ulsan reaching the final of K-League Championship. A lot of teams showed an interest in signing the 33-year-old ex-Fulham, Reading and Wolverhampton man but he eventually decided to join Incheon with fellow World Cup star Kim Nam-Il. He is now a core member of the team and a lot of his colleagues are showing faith in his leadership. Even Kim said: "We are looking forward to playing with him. Even I think I will rely on him a lot."
Korea's Olympic team playmaker and full senior international Yoon, 21, had a chance to move to Rangers during the off-season, but Gyeongnam was against this transfer and eventually sold him to Seongnam for €1.3 million plus Cho Jae-Cheol. Seongnam coach Shin Tae-Yong, who was a legendary midfielder at his club, admitted: "Yoon has much more talent than I did. His composure and timing of the passes can't be compared to any other in the league." The young midfielder, who is a dead-ball specialist, is one of the brightest young talents in South Korea.
By Kim Hyun-Min
The 2012 K-League season will be a year of uncharted territory in South Korea with the introduction of the new 'split-system'. The new campaign gets underway in less than a fortnight on March 3, and already there is anticipation building.
However, there's also a lot of excitement following some big off-season transfers which has everyone guessing who has the strongest squad for the 2012 campaign, with the silverware well and truly up for grabs following the departure of title-winning Jeonbuk Motors coach Choi Kang-Hee to the national team job.
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Indeed, Goal.com has decided to take a look at the five biggest off-season player transfers in the K-League.
| HAN SANG-WOON | Busan I'Park to Seongnam Ilhwa |
The 25-year-old striker has the nickname 'Han Persie' for his strong left foot and similar characteristics to the Arsenal star. Han was the ace player for Busan, and Seongnam bought him by sacrificing Jang Hak-Young and spending €1 million. Right after joining Seongnam, Han had a major impact. He scored three goals and provided three assists in two games during the Hong Kong Challange Cup. He has been called up to the Korean national team and is expecting a debut soon under Choi Kang-Hee.
| KIM JUNG-WOO | Seongnam Ilhwa to Jeonbuk Motors |
Kim, 29, was arguably the highest-profile free agent during the off-season. He played as a striker last term for Sangju Sangmu and scored 15 goals, making him the third highest goalscorer in the league before his late-season switch to Seongnam. He can play as a central or defensive midfielder making him a very versatile player. Jeonbuk manager Lee Heung-Sil said: "This year's tactics will rely on where Kim plays. He can play in so many different positions we are preparing several options." He is now the league's best-paid player at €1 million per year.
| LEE KEUN-HO | Gamba Osaka to Ulsan Hyundai |
Lee scored 15 goals last season for Gamba Osaka making him the third highest goalscorer in the J-League. In order to commit to his national service, he has opted to return to Korea and join Ulsan. The 26-year-old South Korea international can play up front and on the flanks. Ulsan manager Kim Ho-Gon praised his abilities and said: "He will now be our new engine in attack." During his 15-day training in Jeju, he scored six goals during nine practice matches and now has huge expectations on his shoulders for the upcoming K-League term.
| SEOL KI-HYEON | Ulsan Hyundai to Incheon United |
One of the star members of the 2002 World Cup team that reached the semi-finals, Seol enjoyed a good season last year with Ulsan reaching the final of K-League Championship. A lot of teams showed an interest in signing the 33-year-old ex-Fulham, Reading and Wolverhampton man but he eventually decided to join Incheon with fellow World Cup star Kim Nam-Il. He is now a core member of the team and a lot of his colleagues are showing faith in his leadership. Even Kim said: "We are looking forward to playing with him. Even I think I will rely on him a lot."
| YOON BIT-GARAM | Gyeongnam to Seongnam Ilhwa |
Korea's Olympic team playmaker and full senior international Yoon, 21, had a chance to move to Rangers during the off-season, but Gyeongnam was against this transfer and eventually sold him to Seongnam for €1.3 million plus Cho Jae-Cheol. Seongnam coach Shin Tae-Yong, who was a legendary midfielder at his club, admitted: "Yoon has much more talent than I did. His composure and timing of the passes can't be compared to any other in the league." The young midfielder, who is a dead-ball specialist, is one of the brightest young talents in South Korea.
Which K-League transfer do you think is the biggest?
Let us know in the comment box!
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