Kim Jung-woo signs with Jeonbuk

Free agent agrees 1.5 bil. won salary with league champions

By Cho Mu-hyun

Free agent Kim Jung-woo joined the defending K-League champions Jeonbuk Motors, Thursday.

“I am overjoyed to join Jeonbuk, last year’s K-League winners and one of the most distinguished clubs in Asia” he said. “I will do my best to meet expectations and do my best for the image of Jeonbuk,” said the 29-year-old, who gained free agent status after playing last season with Seongnam Ilwha Chunma.

The specifics of his three-year contract were not disclosed due to an agreement between Kim and the club, but his annual salary is estimated to be around 1.5 billion won ($1.3 million).

“I have experience playing with (Jeonbuk’s) Lee Dong-gook and Kim Sang-sik at Seongnam. I think we will able to play well if we adjust together through communication. I have many good memories with the two at Seongnam,” he added.

Kim dropped out of Korea University and signed with Ulsan Tigers in 2003 and played three seasons there as a defensive midfielder.

He joined the Japan’s Nagoya Grampus in 2006 and played two seasons in the J-League. He looked to move to the English Premier League but returned to the K-League with Seongnam in 2008 when talks with Wigan Athletic failed.

There he began playing as an attacking midfielder or forward last season and scored 15 goals in the K-League, earning the nickname “Bone Striker” for his sharp shots and lean body.

In 196 K-League appearances Kim has scored 32 goals and provided 14 assists. He has also been a regular feature in the national team throughout his career and was selected in the squad for the 2010 World Cup and Guangzhou Asian Games.

Known for his skills in both attack and defense, he joins Kim Sang-sik, Jung Hoon and Chinese import Huang Bowen at the Motors to complete their midfield lineup and provide strong backup for the strikers that the team had lacked, allowing them a wider range of offensive tactics.

Jeonbuk scored 72 goals in 33 games last year, the highest in the league, thanks largely to “Lion King” Lee Dong-gook’s performances and the new signing is expected to allow the star striker to concentrate on finding the net.

The club is aiming to win the K-League championship for a second consecutive time but former manager Choi Kang-hee will be absent following his recent appointment as national team manager, replacing Cho Kwang-rae.

With Lee Heung-sil taking charge in Choi’s place, Jeonbuk are currently strengthening in preparation for next season. They signed defender Lee Gang-jin on Wednesday, who played for Jubilo Iwata in the J-League last year.