Busan Transfer: Lim Yu-hwan Signs

Lim Yu-hwan becomes Busan's first official signing of the offseason. (Photo source)

Busan officially joined the transfer market frenzy by signing veteran defender Lim Yu-hwan. Lim had spent the last season on loan at J2 League side Tokyo Verdy, on loan from Albirex Niigata.

The Man

The official press release on the Busan IPark site opens with telling how Lim Yu-hwan was part of the youth national team, along with Park Chu-young and Jung Jo-gook, that conquered Asia, and he earned the moniker "the second Hong Myung-bo". The release goes on to describe him as an experienced and strong defender who can play at both centerback and defensive midfield.

The Stats

Name: Lim Yu-hwan (임유환/林裕煥)

Height: 184cm

Weight: 79kg

Birthdate: 12.02.1983 (33 years old)

Main Position: Central Defense

Secondary Position: Defensive Midfield

Professional Stats: 176 appearances/9 goals/2 assists

Stats for Lim Yu-hwan combined from Wikipedia and Soccerway. Obviously there is a difference between these figures and the ones from the club, not sure why.

Extra Time

The Busan IPark U18 team (aka Gaesung High School) rounded up their experience at the J League International Youth Cup this past Christmas Day. After defeating Estudiantes 2-1 in the opening match and beating Kyoto Sanga U18 3-2 on matchday 2, the kids were walloped 3-7 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth on the final match of group play. Despite the heavy loss, Busan U18 topped their group, earning them a spot in the championship round against Figueirense. The two sides ended regulation with the scored tied 1-1, but the Brazilian side would prevail on spot kicks 8-7. Busan U18 ended the tournament in 2nd-place. Congratulations to the boys!