Bluewings begin rebuilding process with double signing

Suwon Samsung Bluewings manager Yoon Sung-hyo has begun the process of reshaping his squad for an assault on the 2011 K-League title with two new faces confirmed this weekend.

Former Bluewings defender Mato Neretljak will return to the club he left at the end of 2008 after his contract with J-League strugglers Omiya Ardija expired. The 31 year-old defender originally joined Suwon in a $350,000 deal from Croatian side Hajduk Split at the start of 2005 and won a host of trophies including one K-League title, two K-League cup crowns and an A3 Champions Cup winners medal.

Also joining the club for 2011 is Gyeongnam midfielder Lee Yong-rae, with the 24 year-old former FC Metz youth star having impressed for the Changwon-based side since his K-League debut in 2009.

It is widely expected that Chinese international defender Li Weifeng will depart the club, with Dalian Shide the likely destination for the 32 year-old who was an integral part of the Suwon side the past two seasons. Also unlikely to remain with the side is on-loan Japanese forward Naohiro Takahara who looks set to continue his career in the J-League.

Long-serving fan favourite Kim Dae-eui has also left the club with the 36 year-old heading to Singapore to join Home United FC, where he will link up with former Bluewings assistant manager and Home United boss Lee Lim-saeng in a player/coach capacity.

More signings are expected to follow Neretljak and Lee to the Big Bird ahead of the 2011 season, with speculation linking former Bluewings pair Park Hyung-bum and Bae Ki-jong with a double move from league runners-up Jeju United, whilst it is widely anticipated Neretljak’s Omiya Ardija teammate Lee Ho will be lining up in Suwon colours next season. A move for a high-profile goalkeeper is also likely with speculation linking the club with an approach for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma’s national team goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.