Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors moved to strengthen their squad after the opening of the transfer window on January 1st as they confirmed the signing of Gyeongnam attacking midfielder Kim Dong-chan. The 24 year-old joins Choi Kang-hee’s side on a three year deal after spending five years with the Changwon-based side.
Also on the move is former national team goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae who has opted to extend his playing career with Chunnam Dragons. 37 year-old Lee, who had turned down the opportunity of a coaching role at Suwon Samsung Bluewings after finding his first team opportunities limited, has signed a two year deal with Chunnam that brings to an end his fifteen year association with Suwon.
Another Suwon goalkeeper has moved on to pastures new as back-up stopper Park Ho-jin has accepted a player-coach role with K-League debutants Gwangju FC. Battling him for a place between the posts at Gwangju will be Sung Kyung-mo who has left Incheon United after six seasons with the club. Gwangju have also confirmed the free transfer signings of 23 year-old Suwon midfielder Kim Hong-il, former Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma youngster Park Sang-hyun and National League pairing Kim Sung-min and Park Byung-ju who have left Ulsan Mipo Dockyard and Suwon City respectively.
Jeonbuk continue to be linked with signing Seongnam goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong however a deal has still to be completed. One player definitely leaving Seongnam is defender Jo Byung-guk who has joined J-League side Vegalta Sendai. Reports from Australia have linked Busan I’Park with a move for Gold Coast United utility man Bas van den Brink whilst Pohang Steelers have unveiled Ghanaian winger Derek Asamoah who has joined the club from Lokomotiv Sofia.
