K League News Round-up July 8th

In the news: Team K League squad announcement, Park Chu-young is a nice guy after all, another Brazilian star is leaving Gyeongnam, and Ji Dong-won is expected back in the autumn.

Team K League Squad Announced

The Team K League squad has been announced ahead of the friendly match with Son Heung-min's Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday 12th July 2022 as part of the Coupang Play Series. There are two players from each K League 1 team to make a squad of 24 players. Lee Seung-woo is in, as too is his Suwon FC teammate Lars Veldwijk as one of five foreign players. (KLeague.com)

Another buyout clause activated with Hernandes Incheon bound

After losing Willyan to Daejeon Hana Citizen with the player's buyout clause met, the same thing has happened with Hernandes. He's heading for Incheon United, reports Sports Seoul, who have fought off competition from other teams in K League 1 for his signature.

'I was worried at first but I was wrong about Park Chu-young'

Park Chu-young made the switch from Sangam to the Munsu over the winter and has found playing time limited. However, the former Arsenal and Monaco man is making an impression on his teammates and the club's staff. "It seems there has been a misunderstanding. To be honest, at first, I was worried but after meeting him and talking with him, and will all the things he told me, he couldn't be any different what people had told me about him. He looks after the younger players well and the office staff too", those are the words of someone behind the scenes at Ulsan Hyundai. Park has played five times in the league this season but just once from the start, that was in the 2-1 win over Gangwon in midweek to give star striker Leonardo a break. (Sportal Korea)

'I supported Bucheon and Pohang': Hwang Hee-chan

Korean national team forward and Premier League star Hwang Hee-chan says he supports Bucheon FC 1995 and Pohang Steelers. As reported by Best Eleven, Hwang said that he doesn't remember his first K League game but when he was in Korea he supported Bucheon because it's his hometown team, and Pohang because he came through the youth ranks at the Steel Yard. He also said that the match he remembers the most was the 2002 World Cup match between South Korea and Portugal. 

Daejeon Hana Citizen linked to Brazilian striker Renato Katzer 

According to reports in Brazil, Daejeon Hana Citizen are close to signing Fortaleza's Renato Katzer on a six-month loan. Renato is set to join fellow Brazilians Leandro and Willyan on the books at Daejeon who have a foreign player spot free following the departure of Daniel Popa (via Best Eleven). Meanwhile, Ulsan Hyundai striker Leonardo has backed Renato to succeed, calling him a "good striker". 

'As a Suwon player, I'm sorry': Yeom Ki-hun to FC Seoul fan who was attacked

Suwon Bluewings legend Yeom Ki-hun has offered an apology on behalf of the players to the FC Seoul fan who was suffered an alleged assault following the Super Match on June 19th. Yeom said, speaking to SPOTV News: "As one of the Suwon players, I feel sorry for the Seoul fans. Violence should never happen and should never happen again." The Suwon at the centre of this alleged assault is facing a possible K League-wide stadium ban.

Jeju United boss Nam Ki-il "lost for words" after Gimcheon drubbing

Jeju United suffered a shock, 4-0 loss to Gimcheon Sangmu on Tuesday. After which, manager Nam Ki-il said he was lost for words: "There's nothing I can say about the game. It was defeat whch has left me speechless. It was a loss that was given us a huge shock. I can answer your questions but there's a lot going on in my head." It was Jeju's worst defeat under Nam Ki-il and heaviest loss since August 2019. (Sports Chosun)

'Forget the 40-40 club, four wins in a row is more important': Pohang's Kim Seung-dae

After recording back-to-back braces in back-to-back wins for Pohang Steelers, Kim Seung-dae is knocking on the door of the 40-40 club with 41 goals and 39 assists. But, the man they call "Linebreaker", says that earning wins for Pohang is more important than any personal accomplishments. "Winning four in a row is what's needed more (than me getting into the 40-40 club). After the Ulsan win, I got messages of thanks from Jeonbuk players. Double-digit combined goals and assists is my target. If I work harder I can achieve that. Goal contributions in two games in a row and on a winning run, all good. Personally, they were meaningful games for me." (InterFootball)

Ji Dong-won targets September return, despite retirement rumours

Ji Dong-won isn't retiring and could be back in action this autumn. Ji has been out since March with a knee problem and has even been over to Germany for treatment. But, Sports Chosun reports that any talk of early retirement was "foundationless" and that the club are expecting him to be back in October but September could also be a possibility.

'We need to go back to basics': Daejeon Hana Citizen manager Lee Min-sung

After picking up a first win in six on Tuesday night, Daejeon Hana Citizen boss Lee Min-sung says his team need to go back to basics. Speaking following the 2-0 home win over K League 2 strugglers Ansan Greeners, the former Korean international defender said: "We need to go back to basics. Having this problem of going a goal down and even when we've created chances there's been lots of games where we haven't been able to score. And if we don't put away our chances our defence has its limits." (Osen)

'That's why we signed Willyan': Lee Min-sung

On a more positive note, though, Lee Min-sung was full of praise for his new signing Willyan: "We knew that he'd work well with the players we already have, that's why we signed him. As expected, he's adapted to the team well and so I am thankful for that." On Masa's recent upturn in form: "Masa's performances dropped off a bit so we used him as a second-half impact sub. He's working hard to improve some of his flaws and will get better the more he plays." (Sports Chosun)

'He's professional and is a leader': Daejeon captain Cho Yu-min on Willyan

Whenever I've faced Willyan he always showed his professionalism and leadership qualities. He talks a lot with the other forward players and so I have asked him to take on some kind of leadership role. He's helping me out (as captain).  (Sports Donga)

Confirmed Transfers

Daegu FC sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Daniel Penha 

Daegu FC on Wednesday announced the signing of 24-year-old attacking midfielder Daniel Penha on a permanent deal. Penha spent last season with Newcastle Jets in A-League Men on loan from Clube Atlético Mineiro. The fee is believed to be around $750,000 according to Transfermarkt. Penha replaces Bruno Lamas who has joined Busan IPark. (Osen)

Busan IPark seal shock Bruno Lamas signing

K League 2 strugglers Busan IPark have won the race to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Lamas who left Daegu FC last week. Lamas' deal ran out on June 30th and had attracted interest from teams in K League 1. It is not clear how long Lamas has signed for but speaking about the move, said: "I came to help the team. I want to get as many goals and assists as possible to help the team move up the table and will do my best." (Sports Chosun)

Busan add K4 winger with 24 goal contributions in 19 games this season

Busan have also signed 31-year-old winger Kim Do-hyung from K4 side Jeonju Citizen. Kim was first in K4 for assists this season with 13 and also scored 11 goals in 19 matches. Kim actually began his career with Busan in 2013 and has had spells with Chungju Hummel, Sangju Sangmu, Pohang Steelers, Daejeon Korail, Suwon FC, and Hwaseong FC in Korea and also played for Yanbian Funde in China in 2014. Four Four Two

An Byong-jun signs for Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Suwon Bluewings have swooped in to sign An Byong-jun from Busan IPark. The former Suwon FC striker, who finished as the K League top scorer in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, was also linked to Incheon United as a replacement for Stefan Mugosa but a swap deal involving Lee Han-do and An signs on an 18-month deal. He will wear the number 22 shirt. Speaking on his move, An said: "To sign for a historically famous, big club like Suwon Bluewings is an honour. I'll do my best to adapt to the team and put on good performances." (MHN Sports)