Asia's Beckham Could Follow His MLS Footsteps

South Korea's 2002 and 2006 World Cup hero Ahn Jung-hwan, is, according to reports in Seoul, wanted by a trio of MLS clubs.

Ahn, 32, who scored against the US as well as Italy during the 2002 competition, spent last season in the K-league with Busan I'Park.

"There is a large amount of interest from MLS teams in Ahn Jung-hwan who played at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups," a source close to the player told Seoul's International Daily.

"We sent videos of Ahn in action this year for the national team and in the K-league and there was a very positive reaction from three mid-table teams in the Eastern Conference."

The striker is already well-traveled with stints in Japan, Italy, Germany and France as well as South Korea under his belt and could be on his way Stateside if the price is right.

"There is a difference between the salary on offer by the US teams and the salary that Ahn requires but it is not a big difference," the newspaper added.

Ahn shot to global fame in 2002 after being fired by the owner of his club team Perugia for scoring the goal that sent Italy crashing out of the competition.

He is known to American fans not only for scoring the tying goal for the team in group play of when the squads met, but also for the goal celebration he performed with his teammates at the corner flag afterward. Ahn mimed being a speedskater, in an apparent reference protesting American Apollo Anton Ohno's 2002 Olympic goal medal win over Korea's Kim Dong-Sung.

--John Duerden, Goal.com