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.
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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.
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