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Transfer trends among Korea`s national team goalkeepers

Posted December. 12, 2015 07:26,   

한국어

Jung Sung-ryong (30, Suwon) and Kim Seung-kyu (25, Ulsan) seem to be soon transferring to the J-League. The two kept goal post in the national team in the 2014 Brazil World Cup in Brazil. Lee Bum-young (26), who was a bench member during the World Cup, is rumored to move to a new team as his current team, Busan, has been demoted to the K-League (the second division) this season. Therefore, it is possible that all the three goalkeepers, who were in the national team during the World Cup, might be wearing different uniforms next year.

Jung received a love call from the Kawasaki Frontale of the J-League and is now under negotiation on terms and conditions. He is currently a free agent after his contract with Suwon was terminated at the end of this year’s season. Jung has always wanted to play overseas and therefore is willing to take the proposal seriously. He decided that considering his age, this kind of opportunity would not come easy. In his contract with Suwon, Jung reportedly included this particular article that ‘when Jung has a chance to play overseas, the club must support it’. “Playing in an overseas league has always been my dream since childhood. My transfer to the J-League has not been determined yet but if it does happen, it is going to be a turning point of my career as a soccer player,” said Jung.

Although Kim Seung-kyu still has one more year with Ulsan, he has spoken his mind to the club that he wants to go overseas. Vissel Kobe seems so interested in Kim that it bid a huge amount of money for Kim’s transfer to Vissel that Ulsan finds it difficult to refuse. Ulsan will continue to discuss the matter with Kim and allow his transfer if he is strongly willing. Ulsan coach Yoon Jung-hwan (42) does not seem disapproval of Kim’s transfer, and has been considering Kim Jin-hyun (28) as Kim Seung-kyu replacement. Kim Jin-hyun is currently playing in Cerezo Osaka in the second division.

The reason why Jung and Kim want to move to the J-League is that Chinese Super League and most leagues in the Middle East forbid foreign players for their goalkeeper positions.

Lee Bum-young’s contract with Busan still did not end, but he will probably seek a new team soon as Busan has been demoted to the second division. Lee’s search for a new team might not be difficult as Seongnam is looking for a new goalkeeper to replace Park Jun-hyuk (28) who left the team for his duty of national defense. As Jung and Kim will transfer to the J-League, there will be changes in the goalkeeper positions in the clubs, and naturally they might want to scout Lee.



wing@donga.com