Yeom Ki-hoon to Take EPL Test With Albion
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Ulsan Tigers midfielder Yeom Ki-hoon joined team practice at English Premier League (EPL) side West Bromwich Albion Monday.
Yeom, who arrived in England Sunday, has been taking a test under the watchful eye of manager Tony Mowbray in the hope of bagging a loan deal to play for the Midlands club.
West Brom has eyed up the midfielder as a striker, hoping to take him on a temporary basis with the possibility of a permanent contract if he performs well.
If the 25-year-old makes the grade, he will become the sixth Korean playing in the EPL.
Yeom debuted at Jeonbuk Motors in 2006 and grabbed the K-League rookie of the year award the same year by recording seven goals with five assists in 31 games.
He has also scored three goals in 20 games at full international level for Korea.
West Brom is no stranger to Korea after loaning midfielder Kim Do-heon, then struck a permanent deal for the former Sungnam Chunma star earlier this year.
Mowbray’s side, which was promoted to the EPL last season is currently rooted to the bottom of the league with a record of 3-3-11.
He is in desperate need of a striker as the team struggles to find the back of the net, having scored just 12 goals in 17 matches.
``We really need an eager striker. But we can’t invest money to trade a player,’’ manager Tony said.
``We are looking to loan a Premier League forward, but it can’t be. If you know any possible striker playing in EPL to loan, just let me know,’’ added Mowbray.