Transfers: Ulsan Hyundai sign Australian Full-back Jason Davidson

K League title contenders Ulsan Hyundai have filled their vacant AFC player slot by signing Australian international left-back Jason Davidson from reigning A-League Premiers Perth Glory. 
(Image courtesy of uhfc.tv)


The club announced Davidson signed a two-year deal, but declined to disclose any details of a transfer fee. The 27-year-old, who has 22 caps with the Socceroos, is an attack-minded full-back renowned for aggression and technique.

Speaking about the move on Ulsan's social media, Davidson said: "I came here to win trophies. This is a fantastic step in my career. Ulsan and myself have the opportunity to achieve a lot more."

Ulsan's newest signing spent time in several European leagues including Portugal, England, and Holland before returning to his native Australia in 2018.  However, his stay in the A-League proved to be short and sweet, as standout performances in Perth Glory's first ever table-topping season caught the eye of Ulsan scouts, and he was snapped up just one year into his two-year contract.

Davidson also brings considerable international experience with him to the K League. He played in all three of Australia's games at the 2014 World Cup, and was part of the team that beat South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup Final.

Davidson going up against Korea's Cha Du-ri in the 2015 Asian Cup Final (Image courtesy of foxsports.com.au)

The former Heracles and Huddersfield player will have to compete for his place with the Horangi's existing left-backs Lee Myeong-jae and Park Joo-ho, although both players seem to have fallen out of favour with manager Kim Do-hoon; Lee was the club's top assist-maker last season but has struggled for consistency this campaign, while the 32-year-old Park has often been deployed as a midfielder rather than in defence.

 Davidson can count former Socceroos and K League defender Rob Cornthwaite amongst his fans.  "He's got brilliant fitness and a very good left foot," said the ex-Jeonnam Dragons player. "He's aggressive and likes to get forward a lot, but first and foremost he's a defender with an excellent sense of positioning."

Cornthwaite certainly knows what it takes to be successful in Korea having spent four years with Jeonnam after a move from Adelaide United, and he backed Davidson to be a success at Ulsan too -  "If he gets a good run in the team at the start to settle him in, I'm sure he'll do well."

Ulsan fans will be excited by the prospect of another pacy full-back who contributes higher up the pitch, having already witnessed right-back Kim Tae-hwan's rise to the Korean National Team squad this season. But with the A-League only just starting preseason, fans may have to wait a few weeks til Davidson is match fit.