By Yoon Chul
Korean women’s football star Ji So-yun will play in the Japanese professional league next year.
Ji’s agency All That Sports, announced, Wednesday that Ji and INAC Kobe Leonessa agreed to a one-year deal with one further optional year but the salary wasn’t revealed.
The decision follows news from the U.S. associated with the relocation of Western New York and other team changes including the breakup of FC Gold Pride.
“As there were risks with heading to the United States, we decided to go to another overseas league and we chose Kobe, which has shown interest in Ji,” All That Sports said in a statement.
“I am really happy that I can play in an overseas league,” Ji said. “I will try to show better performance for a new team. And I hope to learn more to improve.”
Kobe came fourth last season. By adding the Korean striker they are eager to finish first in 2011.
Ji started attracting attention after she scored eight goals for the silver boot award at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in August in Germany, helping South Korea to third place.
After her first season in Japan it will be up to Ji to decide whether to play for another one year or not.
She is expected to cross the East Sea to join the team for training in the middle of December.