By Yi Whan-woo
South Korean striker Suk Hyun-jun agreed to a two-year transfer deal to Dutch outfit FC Groningen, the team announced on its official website Monday.
The 19-year-old forward will continue his career in the Netherlands having made fewer-than-expected appearances with Ajax.
Suk will move on a free transfer as his 18-month contract with Ajax is about to expire. Suk was desperate to stay in the Eredivisie, the top league in the Netherlands, and FC Groningen admired his size and speed.
“Suk is 1.90 meters tall physically strong,” Henk Field, FC Groningen technical director, was quoted as saying by the club.
“It’s difficult for defenders on the opposing teams to stop Suk.
“He puts a lot of fight and energy in a race. With his game and the type of striker he is, he is able to change a game. Suk is the type of player who we expect will commit to his game and appeal to our fans,” Field added.
Apart from Suk’s athletic ability, the technical director also appreciated the South Korean’s affinity with the Netherlands. “He understands Dutch quite well and speaks it a bit, which is remarkable as an Asian,” he said.
While Suk failed to command a place in Ajax’s first team in the 2010-11 season, he showed his potential in the second side by scoring eight and setting up two goals in nine league appearances.
Suk will be “no stranger” to FC Groningen boss, Peter Huistra, according to the team website. Huistra was in charge of Ajax’s second team in 2009, which Suk joined after coming through the team’s youth set up.
FC Groningen said that its manager was “charmed by Suk’s diligence as an attacker.”
The Korean began his first practice with the team Monday. FC Groningen was ranked fifth in the 18-cub Eredivisie and sees the South Korean as able to boost the team’s attacking options.
Suk is the eighth South Korean footballer to play in the Netherlands following Huh Jung-moo, Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo (all with PSV Eindhoven), Roh Jung-yoon (NAC Breda), Song Chong-gug and Lee Chun-soo (Feyenoord) and Kim Nam-il (Excelsior).
The striker was a member of the Under-20 team that reached the quarterfinals in FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009. He also played for the senior team last year, but did not make much of an impression.