Yang Hyeon-joon (21) has achieved his long-held dream of entering the European stage. The new destination has been decided to be Celtic (Scotland).
On the 15th, Gangwon FC CEO Kim Byung-ji announced through the club’s YouTube live broadcast that “Yang Hyun-jun is transferring to Celtic.” The transfer fee was more than 2.5 million euros (approximately 3.57 billion won), and CEO Kim showed a performance of directly signing Yang Hyun-joon’s transfer contract during the broadcast. Founded in 1887, Celtic was previously joined by Ki Sung-yong and Cha Doo-ri, and joined by Oh Hyun-gyu in January this year.
Last year, in his second year as a pro, Yang Hyun-jun showed tremendous growth enough to sweep the K-League and the Korea Football Association’s Young Player Award. In July of that year, he played in a friendly match against Tottenham (England) as a member of the K-League All-Stars and performed impressively. Celtic, who took an interest in Yang Hyun-jun as an opportunity, dispatched a scout in May of this year to look at major K-League games, and proposed a scout last month.
It was a great opportunity for the player, but it was not good news for Gangwon. After falling into the relegation zone amid terrible sluggishness and coach Choi Yong-soo stepping down, coach Yoon Jeong-hwan took over the baton, and the crisis continued. The difference had to be large. The club recommended winter after overcoming the crisis this season, and the player insisted on ‘immediately’.
In the end, Gangwon conceded. Yang Hyun-joon said, “I’m happy, but I feel heavy. He left the team after two and a half years, saying, “I’m sorry he transferred when the team was in trouble.” His career record in the K League is 9 goals and 5 assists in 66 games. He was sluggish this year with 1 goal and 1 assist in 21 games.메이저도메인
The player has achieved his dream, but the club is still in jeopardy. On the day Ace left, FC Seoul and ‘Hanawon Q K League 1 2023’, which took place at Gangneung Sports Complex, also drew 1-1 in the 23rd round home game. Yoo In-soo took the lead in the 30th minute of the first half, but Osmar equalized in the 22nd minute of the second half. Gangwon, who lost 13 consecutive games without a win (6 draws, 7 losses), maintained 11th place with 2 wins, 10 draws, 11 losses and 16 points, but Suwon Samsung (3 wins, 6 draws, 14 losses, 3 wins, 6 draws, 14 losses, 3 wins, 6 draws, 14 losses). The gap with 15 points was reduced from the previous 4 points to 1 point. Of course, Gangwon’s 24th round (22nd, home) opponent was Suwon, so the burden increased.