Suwon FC's Andrigo is delighted to just get an opportunity

Brazilian winger Andrigo is back on the pitch and back to producing big moments following his arrival at Suwon FC.

Sometimes the face just doesn't fit. After swapping China for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in July last year, Andrigo would go on to have a profound impact on Jeonbuk's season. And his team really needed him. Despite boasting an array of talented players - many of whom were internationals - Jeonbuk incredibly found themselves in the relegation zone when the regular season ended. Incheon United followed Suwon Samsung into the second tier, and as big as those relegations were, nothing would be as seismic as Jeonbuk, K League's most successful club, joining their northern rivals in K League 2.

Jeonbuk would have one more crack at survival. Seoul E-Land came through the play-offs from the second division to face Jeonbuk in a final round over two legs. In the first leg in Mokdong, Jeon Jin-woo struck eight minutes from time to give the visitors a 2-1 aggregate lead. That advantage, however, was wiped out on the stroke of half time in the return leg by Bruno Silva. With 45 minutes remaining, Jeonbuk were level 2-2 on aggregate with Seoul. But two goals after the break from Tiago and Moon Seon-min saved Jeonbuk from the ultimate embarrassment. 

Andrigo didn't feature in the play-offs, but he did start Jeonbuk's final league match of the season, away to Gwangju. His contribution from July to early December was enough to earn the attacking midfielder a permanent move to Jeonju, following three goals and two assists in 15 matches. But everything was changing behind the scenes. Gus Poyet was appointed manager, several high-profile players departed, and the club recruited heavily to ensure they would never flirt with relegation again. And it worked. Jeonbuk are top of K League 1, opening their lead at the summit to a seemingly unassailable 12 points.

From relegation threatened to league champions in one season would constitute a major turnaround.

One of the victims of this success, however, has been Andrigo. Poyet preferred the former Suwon Samsung forward Jeon Jin-woo to occupy a more permanent role on the right side of his attack and the results have been devastating. Jeon is the league's top goal scorer with 12 and, at 25, made his national team debut. He was heavily linked with a move to West Brom in England last month. Andrigo couldn't even muscle his way onto the bench. After 15 appearances for his new team before Christmas, the Brazilian was frozen out. He didn't make a single K League squad this year. Jeonbuk ended his contract and Suwon came knocking.

[READ: Suwon return from the dead thanks to Brazilian debutants]

Andrigo made his debut on Friday night, coming off the bench on 82 minutes. Almost a year to the day since he arrived in Jeonju, Andrigo was about to remind everyone of his talent. Suwon were trailing thanks to Jasir Asani's penalty. Within two minutes of his introduction, Suwon were level. Fellow Brazilian Willyan was also making his debut in Castle Park. The former Seoul man scored a screamer from the edge of the box to tie the game.

Five minutes later, Andrigo barreled into the box and his cross was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Gwangju goalkeeper Kim Gyeong-min. Castle Park erupted. Suwon are known for their late heroics and this was another to add to the list. Unsurprisingly, Andrigo was ecstatic after the game.

"I feel great, for sure, because we won, and I was able to help with one goal." He continued, "I came here to receive more opportunities and today I received one opportunity. We need minutes to show our talent and we feel great when we are on the pitch. I am happy today because I helped the team to win. I am happy because I received that opportunity."

Despite his spell in Jeonju ending abruptly, Andrigo isn't bitter about the experience. He's known as one of the nicest men in Korean football, and he displayed this again in Castle Park's mixed zone. When asked if he was injured in spring, Andrigo confirmed that getting overlooked is just a part of the game. "I was fit, I was okay. I just didn't receive the opportunity but soccer life is like that. So I came here (to Suwon) after talking to the coach. I could feel the great atmosphere. My thought was this would be a good move for me, so I came to Suwon. And today you could see that."

Suwon FC fans will be happy their new star decided to stay in Korea. And perhaps it helps more that Andrigo loves life on the peninsula. "I was very happy to stay, for sure. I have been here almost three years. I kept studying Korean and I speak well now. I am really into Korean culture and my wife loves Korea. Her best friend is Korean. Asia is a good place to discover more about culture and people and I am really into Asian culture."

Brazilians Andrigo and Willyan have made Suwon their new home.

Despite the turnaround on Friday, these are difficult times for Suwon. The club is 11th but they've now opened a five point gap to Daegu in bottom spot. Suwon have a game in hand, against Ulsan HD, who are in freefall. They travel to Pohang on Tuesday night for a 19:30 kick-off but looming large is a blockbuster Gyeonggi derby with near neighbors FC Anyang next weekend. Andrigo made his name in Korea with Anyang. The clubs are separated by one point before the midweek fixtures. Andrigo isn't daunted about the relegation battle. He's already survived one in Korea.

"We had this kind of fighting with Jeonbuk last year. But this year, I know my focus is game-by-game, step-by-step. We don't know the future but we just need to focus on the next game. It will always be next game, next game. We need to try to attempt more points and then we can get better in the standings."

And with that, Andrigo was gone. His K League career has reignited and his former club come calling at the weekend. All he wants is an opportunity.