Jeju United has recruited promising midfielder Kim Gun-woong (25) and veteran defender Lim Chang-woo (31) from Jeju Island to strengthen their power.
Jeju held a trade with Jeonbuk Hyundai. Kim Gun-woong wore a Jeju uniform and Ahn Hyun-beom headed to Jeonbuk. In addition, Lim Chang-woo was recruited through a trade with Gangwon FC, and Lee Ji-sol will wear a Gangwon uniform. The detailed terms of the contract will not be disclosed under mutual agreement.
Kim Gun-woong made his professional debut in 2016 at Ulsan Hyundai. Since then, he has shown steady performance at Jeonnam Dragons (lease) and Suwon FC. In 2018, he won the men’s football gold medal at the 18th Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. He moved to Jeonbuk Hyundai ahead of the 2023 season by being nominated for the K League’s best 11 in the 2022 season, but failed to catch many opportunities (11 games) and chose to go to Jeju for a new challenge. He played 156 games in the K League, scoring 7 goals and 3 assists.
Kim Gun-woong is an immediate sense of power with abundant potential. He has a solid physique (185cm, 81kg), stable ball distribution ability, and excellent physical strength, so he can play not only the midfielder, his main position, but also the central defender according to tactical changes. This is a new answer for Jeju, which has been agonizing over adding to the weight of the midfield since the absence of leading midfielder Lee Chang-min in the military.
Kim Gun-woong said, “I can’t help but feel pressured. But the responsibility is greater. I want to prove my skills for Jeju, who chose me to add the weight of power. And I will do my best to make Jeju fans’ disappointment a new expectation. “I want to be a player who gives trust and trust,” he said.
Lim Chang-woo made his professional debut with Ulsan Hyundai in 2010, and has been consistent with Daejeon Citizen (lease), Al Wahda FC (United Arab Emirates), and Gangwon FC. He also scored six goals and four assists in 141 matches in the K League. He also distinguished himself in national teams of all ages, including the FIFA U-20 World Cup (2011), the 1st Asian Football Confederation U-22 Championship (2013), the 17th Incheon Asian Games football gold medal and final goal (2014), and the 6th EAFF East Asian Cup men’s football team (2015).
Lim Chang-woo is the right person to fill Ahn Hyun-beom’s transfer gap. Lim Chang-woo is an all-weather multi-defense resource that can play not only right fullback, but also wingback, central defender, and defensive midfielder due to his excellent offense and defense balance. His physical (183cm, 72kg) is also good, transforming him from a set piece chance to a “su-tricker.” In particular, he is a native of Jeju Island (Jeju Seocho) and has a strong will to repay the support of Jeju residents in his hometown team.
Lim Chang-woo said, “I’m so happy that I can finally join my hometown team Jeju. As a player from Jeju, I will do my best every moment to increase the pride of Jeju and provincial residents. If I get a minute, I’ll throw my whole body. “I will take the initiative and show my commitment as a veteran player,” he said.