Transfers: Daejeon Hana Citizen's summer recruits and how they'll fit in

In the midst of a relegation dogfight, Daejeon Hana Citizen have had to dip into their savings account somewhat to bring in some new faces. Daejeon have been busy, bringing in Kim Moon-hwan, Cheon Seong-hoon, Park Jeong-in and even securing the return of Masatoshi Ishida. But where will they all fit in? Updated on 17th July, 13:59

Kim Hyeon-ug, attacking midfielder

Daejeon's seventh summer recruit was announced on the afternoon of Wednesday 17th July. Kim Hyeon-ug has made the switch from Jeonnam Dragons, two days after officially finishing his military service with Gimcheon. Daejeon's press release makes a point about how Kim can play in more than one position, which is something of a theme with most of Daejeon's summer recruits. Hwang Sun-hong clearly wants players who are adaptable and can play in more than one system. Kim has been playing as as a right winger for Gimcheon this season, scoring five and assisting one, but can operate from the left or as a central midfielder. The 29-year-old will most likely go straight into the team and could feature anywhere across the middle or on the wing. Where he's deployed against Pohang in Round 24 will be an indicator.

Choi Geon-ju, winger

The acquisition of Choi Geon-ju from Busan, a player who’d scored just once in 18 appearances in K League 2 this season with no assists, raised a few eyebrows. But there’s method to the madness, it seems, as Choi’s pace and direct nature have been procured to help Daejeon get up the pitch and into the final third more quickly. He’s already made an impact, too, having provided an assist in the eventual 2-1 loss away to FC Seoul, sending in a perfect cross for Peniel Mlapa to head home. Daejeon needed someone bright and daring and so Choi Geon-ju ticks those boxes. Expect Choi to feature regularly on either the right or left of a front three between now and the end of the season.

Lee Sang-min, winger (loan)

A loan swap with Suwon Bluewings has seen Bae Seo-joon head to Big Bird with Lee Sang-min heading the opposite way. Lee can play as a winger or a wingback and so his acquisition is seen as a way to use more than one system with the same players. He’s young but has a touch more experience than Bae Seo-joon and had scored one and assisted two in 16 K League 2 appearances this season. He hasn’t looked too confident, nor has he made much of an impact in the games he’s played so far, but with Daejeon lacking in numbers down the left, Lee will, for now at least, be first choice in whatever formation Hwang Sun-hong opts for. Against Gangwon in Round 23, he began on the left of a midfield four in a 4-4-2, then shifted to left wingback in a 5-3-2 in the second half. Against FC Seoul on his debut, he began on the left-hand side of a midfield four in a 3-4-3 before moving to right wing in a 3-4-3, then left wing. With Kang Yoon-seong able to play at left wingback and with Kim Moon-hwan fit and ready to start again, Lee will have to have more of an impact in games if is to keep his place.

Kim Jae-woo, centre back (end of military service)

Hwang Sun-hong has had seven matches in charge (up to Round 24) and has already used 15 different centre back combinations, whether that be in a three or two in a back four, including in-game tweaks. Since taking over, Hwang has seen his side ship 11 goals, averaging just over 1.5 goals per match. These levels of leakiness cannot continue if Daejeon are to avoid the drop. If the club were thinking about defensive reinforcements then the return of Kim Jae-woo from Gimcheon can be seen as one. He has, however, not played since April, Gimcheon’s Round 5 loss to FC Seoul. Kim isn’t, then, going to come in and immediately be able to shore up the defence but once fit, he will at least give Hwang an option. He can play anywhere across the back in a three and given Lee Jung-taek’s drop in form, the indecisiveness of Kim Hyeon-woo, at the apparent distrust of Hong Jung-un who turned out for the B team recently, Kim could work his way into the squad soon once fit. In his first spell with Daejeon, Kim Jae-woo showed himself to be a capable defender if not one who was lacking in confidence. He was part of a K League 2 title-winning team last year and appears to have improved as a player.

Kim Moon-hwan, right back

With an 'attack is the best form of defence' approach, Kim Moon-hwan will likely start on the right hand side of Daejeon's midfield four in a 3-4-3. He'll be competing with vice-captain Kang Yoon-seong but Hwang Sun-hong wouldn't have signed him if he wasn't going to be starting. Kim can also play as a winger so could be deployed on the right-hand side of Daejeon's front three, particularly away from home. Kim, though, is said to still need time to get himself up to speed match fitness-wise. With injuries at left back too with Park Jin-seong also a short-term doubt, Kang Yoon-seong could be deployed from the left with Kim Moon-hwan on the right.

Cheon Seong-hoon, striker

With Vladislavs Gutkovskis injured and not expected back until August, and Peniel Mlapa seemingly unable to play a full 90, Cheon Seong-hoon will lead the line for Daejeon as the central striker in Hwang Sun-hong's 3-4-3. As he demonstrated in this 2-1 win over Gwangju, he's a cool customer in the box and looks to be exactly what Daejeon need up top.

Park Jeong-in, winger

Signed on loan from Seoul E-Land, Park Jeong-in will help flesh out the squad. Daejeon are low on numbers in the attacking third of the pitch due to injuries so Park will be someone Hwang Sun-hong uses off the bench or in rotation. The deal makes good sense for all involved as Park himself said that he sees this move as his last chance. After leaving Ulsan in 2020, Park showed promise in his first two seasons with Busan IPark but has struggled for form since then. and has managed just two goals and one assist in 30 appearances for Seoul E-Land.

Masatoshi Ishida, attacking midfielder

Image via Daejeon Hana Citizen press release

Masa's return is huge for Daejeon but where he plays will be interesting as it could signal a change in formation. Masa is most effective when he has space but in a midfield four, Masa might need to drop in alongside Ju Se-jong when Daejeon are out of possession. But when deployed in a midfield four, he tends to be a bit restricted and stifled. He can play as a striker but Daejeon have Cheon Seong-hoon to lead the line, and Gutek when he returns from injury. Masa has come back to Daejeon to play regularly so it'll be up to Hwang Sun-hong - a long-time admirer of the former Ansan Greeners man - to find the right position for him.

[READ: Masatoshi Ishida returns to Daejeon Hana Citizen]

Kim Min-woo, utility player

Kim Min-woo (R) in action for Korea U23s (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Kim Min-woo, who joins Daejeon from Fortuna Düsseldorf's second string, can play in a number of positions. Under Hwang Sun-hong for the Korea U23s, Kim has been used in central midfield, as a holding midfielder, or at left back. Daejeon have, on occasions, been playing right back Oh Jae-suk on the left so Kim's arrival could at a bit of balance to the side. In the short term, Kim will most likely be a player who's eased into the setup and will feature as and where he's needed.