Transfer News: Chungnam Asan FC Adds European Duo

It will be the first season in K League 2 as a citizen club for Chungnam Asan FC, but the former military club and 2018 champions as Asan Mugunghwa dipped into the transfer market to beef up their striking corps in the winter transfer window with the acquisitions of former Austrian youth international Armin Mujakic and Swedish forward Philip Hellquist.  How will the duo impact the club's fortunes in 2020?  KLU's Branko Belan examines what the two new signings will bring to the club.

Armin Mujakic

Mujakic's career thus far has included stops in Austria, Greece and Belgium.

The 25 year old center forward only made four appearances in the Proximus League for Lommel SK while on loan in Belgium last season, but it is worth noting that he is a former Austrian international at youth level, last playing for the U-20 side in 2015.  He is also capable of playing as a second striker and on the left wing, so Park Dong-hyuk will be able to move him around a bit when considering his attack options this season.

A product of the Rapid Wien youth system, he played 73 times for the club's second squad scoring 22 goals and also made five appearances for the senior team.  During the 2018-19 season, he played in the Greek Super League 1 for Atromitos, scoring once in seventeen matches.

A move to the K League could prove to be a benefit to him as he looks to increase his minutes and gain some experience in this new chapter of his career.  As the first foreign player in the club's history, he is sure to have a defined role as the team approaches its first-ever season in Korea's second division as a citizen club.

“I am honored to be Asan's first foreign player.  I want to be a player who can make a strong impression on the fans, and I will do my best to help Asan reach the desired goal this season by keeping a close eye on the team members during the training period," he said after making the switch on a free transfer.

Philip Hellquist

Hellquist is hoping a new chapter in Korea will kickstart his career.

The Swedish center forward from Stockholm is another addition to Asan's attack, coming over this past winter from Brommapojkarna IF in Sweden.  His football career began very early at the age of five in the youth system of Djurgardens IF from 1997 to 2008.  He would debut for the senior team that same season and stayed with the club until 2014, falling just two short of the century mark, scoring ten goals over that span.

He moved on to Austria in 2015 where he first played for SC Weiner Neustadt before switching to Wolfsberger AC, where he stayed until the end of the 2017 season.  His maiden spell in Austria also saw him play in Europa League qualifying against Belarusian side Shakhtjor Soligorsk, as the team went on to a 3-0 victory over two legs, with the Swede scoring the second goal just before the final whistle in the home leg.

His career has also seen him make stops at Kalmar FF in his native country as well as PAS Giannina in Greece.  He spent much of the 2019 season out of the squad with his now-former club, as he went through a spell from the end of May to mid-September devoid of playing time, but finished strong with five goals in his last seven matches in the Superettan.

"I am very happy to join Asan.  I will always be a player who tries to help the team win.  If you come to the stadium and cheer a lot, I will reward you with a great performance," he said after joining the club.

That Hellquist will fit in well with his new club is evidenced by his positive first impression of his new manager.

"He's a great man.  He has a very close relationship with the players and everyone has a lot of respect for him.  I am learning a lot through his tactical preparations and his leadership is a great motivation," he concluded.

Asked about his goals for the upcoming season, he stated the following:

"I scored 11 goals in 19 games last season.  I want to continue this momentum and help the team as a member.  I want to help Chungnam Asan become a winning team.  I firmly believe that our team will have a great season.  There are good players, a good coaching staff and good club staff.  I think we can achieve any goal if we all work together and work towards the top.  No one can stop a team that is tightly united as one.  You can look forward to Chungnam Asan's first season in K League 2.  I am sure the fans will be out to support us," he finished.