2026 Season Preview: FC Anyang

Bruno Mota may have departed, but behind the scenes, Anyang are confident they can improve on last season's eighth-place finish. Minimal recruitment, combined with an aging squad of out-of-contract stars, suggests this could be a more challenging season for the Violets.

Last Season

14W - 7D - 17L, 7th.

What Happened?

A debut K League 1 season of a few lows, but numerous highs. It was a memorable year covering Anyang for the website — I can't imagine how special it was as a fan or a player. After several near misses, Anyang won promotion in 2024 and knew they faced a tough season. Their squad was the oldest in the league and lacked real experience at this level. But it didn't matter. Anyang finished eighth, well clear of relegation, with the foundations built to become a K League 1 regular.

[READ: 2025 Season Review: FC Anyang]

The low point of the season was a dreadful summer run that saw the team lose six in seven matches and drop to 11th. That run looked set to continue when Daejeon led 2-1 with time running out in August. However, a red card and a Matheus Oliveira double rescued the game — and their season. That kick-started a seven-game unbeaten run, which included a historic win in Seoul.

Han Ka-ram celebrates his Goal of the Month against Gimcheon.

Survival was effectively guaranteed when Anyang played kingmaker before the split. In their best performance of the year, Gimcheon Sangmu were slaughtered, thanks in part to Han Ka-ram's wonder goal. The 4-1 win handed Jeonbuk Hyundai the title, cementing Anyang's right to be taken seriously. This club has arrived.

Notable Moves

Bruno Mota

Brazilian striker Bruno Mota has joined K League 1 champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on loan until the end of the season, but Anyang don't expect him to return. The big striker enjoyed a glorious single season in Anyang, leading the line in their debut K League 1 campaign. His 14 goals will be difficult to replace, not to mention his positive contribution to the clubhouse atmosphere.

[READ: "I Knew We Were Not Going Down!" - FC Anyang's Han Ka-ram]

Kim Jeong-hoon

FC Anyang is an old team, especially in defence and goal. Kim Da-sol was a brilliant signing, leading the team to promotion and then eighth place in K League 1. Da-sol is out of contract next winter and, at 37, is nearing the end of his career. Jeong-hoon (24) started the Cup final win over Gwangju and can now bide his time before taking over between the sticks.

Breno Herculano

The man entrusted with the impossible task of replacing Bruno Mota is 26-year-old forward Breno Herculano, on loan from CRB in Brazil's Serie B. Anyang love the lone target man who is quick, holds the ball up, chases lost causes down the flanks, and is good in the air. Herculano will also need to score goals. In his professional career, he has averaged exactly one goal every five matches. 

Key Player

Thomas Oude Kotte

Thomas Oude Kotte scored one of the most important goals in Anyang's history.

A player who needs no introduction. Thomas is already a legend in Anyang after a stunning debut season that saw him nominated for the Best XI and earn a call-up for Team K League against Newcastle United. Thomas began life in Korea as a centre-back, then shifted to left-back, before operating at a very high level in midfield. This form and versatility saw his name linked with several big clubs, but Anyang moved quickly to offer him a new deal. He was recently named vice-captain.

Young Player to Watch

Chae Hyeon-woo

Winger Chae features in this category for the second straight season, and it is no surprise. The 21-year-old was nominated for K League 1 Young Player of the Season thanks to four goals in 33 appearances. Chae was involved in more matchday squads than any other Anyang player. With Yago's move to Malaysia, Chae is likely to be busy again in 2026.

[READ: No Country for Young Men; Is FC Anyang too old?]

Biggest Question

Who can replace Bruno Mota?

Officials at Anyang are confident the club can improve on their 2025 final position, but until they secure an obvious replacement for Bruno Mota, that is hard to envisage. Mota was a brilliant signing — the right man at the right time. Anyang went up in 2024 without a recognised goalscorer. They fixed that by signing the K League 2 top goalscorer, Mota.

[READ: For Anyang, life will never be the same again]

The Brazilian was an instant hit. He headed home the winner on his debut in Ulsan, one of 14 league goals. He earned a nomination for the Best XI and played 90 minutes for Team K League in the glamour friendly with Newcastle United. Off the field, the impact was just as strong. Anyang players told me throughout the year that Mota was the natural link between the Brazilians and the Koreans — the man who acted as the go-between. Those are big boots to fill.

Reason to Watch

Anyang have shown themselves to be a model that all city-owned, small-market clubs can aspire to. Building a squad comes down to budgets, smart scouting, and effective player retention, but where Anyang really excel is off the pitch. They have the same disadvantages as many of their competitors: a slightly dilapidated, large multipurpose stadium that isn't fit for football. There's no shelter from rain, snow, or sun, and thousands of seats offer a poor view.

The Anyang atmosphere.

So what was the response? Build three pitchside temporary stands to minimise the impact of the running track. It isn't pretty, but it is very effective. They also added a new club beer — Sukhavati — and made “Zombie” the new club anthem. As a result, Anyang have generated one of the best matchday experiences in Korea. You don't need the Pohang Steel Yard to make it fun.