Jeonju: K League Classic champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have added to their attacking ranks ahead of the 2016 AFC Champions League campaign after securing the services of striker Kim Shin-wook from Ulsan Hyundai.
The move, announced on the club’s official website on Thursday, sees Kim part company with Ulsan after seven successful years.
The towering forward, who stands at 1.98m, played a pivotal role in Ulsan’s AFC Champions League triumph with six goals throughout the tournament, including one each in both legs of their 5-1 aggregate win over Bunyodkor in the semi-finals.
In total, he scored 111 times in 266 games for Horangi and has also earned 32 caps for Korea Republic, but will now embark on the next stage of his career at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
“I thank God and Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee,” said Kim.
“I will now do my best to fulfill all that is required of me and do my best to help the team reach its targets.”
Choi, who is currently in his second stint at the helm of Jeonbuk, following a one-and-a-half year spell as Korea Republic coach, believes it is important for the K League’s clubs to make a statement given the manner some of their continental rivals have aggressively recruited some famous names in recent weeks.
“The AFC Champions League is a matter of pride of Korean football and the K League,” said the 56-year-old.
“It is also the fate of Jeonbuk.
“We are continuing to fight despite large sums of money being invested in China and the Middle East.”
Jeonbuk’s last AFC Champions League title came in 2006 when they beat Syria’s Al Karamah 4-1 on aggregate in the final, and they also have four K League titles to their name.
Photo: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Source: the-afc.com