The reason why Lee Seung-woo was sent to Jeonbuk

Jul 22, 2024

'King of Suwon'Lee Seung-woo (26) will go to Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Rumors of a transfer, which had been rampant since the beginning of this year, ended up going to Jeonbuk. Lee Seung-woo, who wore the Suwon FC uniform in 2022, scored 14 goals and 3 assists in 35 games in the first season, and 10 goals and 3 assists in 35 games in the 2023 season. In this season, when head coach Kim Eun-joong took the helm, he scored 10 goals and two assists in 18 games, and scored double-digit goals for three consecutive seasons, serving as a troubleshooter at Suwon FC, where professional strikers were absent. From the opening game against Incheon, he led the theater goal victory and played a major role in Suwon FC's 5th place advance, which was in the relegation zone last year.

Even before the start of the summer transfer market, rumors over Lee Seung-woo's transfer were hot. Multiple clubs in the K League 1 and 2 took an eye on Lee Seung-woo. Choi Soon-ho, head of Suwon FC, said in an interview with Sports Chosun last month, `We have no intention of giving up Lee Seung-woo to another team. Our principles are clear. I also talked with Lee Seung-woo and clearly conveyed my meaning"He expressed his intention to protect Suwon City, Suwon Club, and our Suwon fans, saying, "You all know what Lee Seung-woo is like." `Lee Seung-woo is a really precious player to our team. Suwon's image, more than money to our fans," he said, expressing his affection.

However, things have changed drastically since July. Lee Seung-woo did not perform his unique dance ceremony even after scoring a goal. "I'm not in the mood to dance." The opponent team that Lee Seung-woo scored in every game, Jeonbuk Hyundai in crisis, wanted Lee Seung-woo. Jeonbuk coach Park Ji-sung, who explained the World Cup with Lee Seung-woo, called Choi directly and hoped to recruit Lee Seung-woo. Lee Seung-woo also wanted a new challenge.

In mid-July, it was reported that Lee Seung-woo agreed on the terms of his personal contract with Jeonbuk. In connection with Lee Seung-woo's trip to Jeonbuk, the transfer of Jeonbuk goalkeeper Jung Min-ki and the buyback contract of Kang Sang-yoon, a midfielder from Jeonbuk Youth, who is on loan from Suwon FC until 2025, were signed. Lee Seung-woo and Jeonbuk will sign a contract for four and a half years until 2028. The annual salary, which includes various options, is the highest in Korea. Jeonbuk's love call, which guaranteed the highest salary and long-term contract in the K League 1, moved Lee Seung-woo's heart.

Lee Seung-woo also proved his star's presence until the end by scoring a goal in a farewell match against Incheon in the K League 1 on the 21st. Lee Seung-woo was not in good condition enough to visit the hospital's emergency room due to stomach cramps earlier in the day, but he flew up as soon as he entered the ground. Coach Kim Eun-joong provided a chance for a farewell match in the 44th minute of the second half, and two minutes later, he finished his two years and seven months in Suwon with a thrilling 'Chip Shot' finale goal following Ahn Byung-joon's heel pass.

Lee Seung-woo stood in front of away fans in Suwon after the game. He personally held up the loudspeaker and announced the transfer. "Everyone, I'm moving during the season. Lastly, I wanted to tell you directly before the fans came across the article. Thank you for your support. Even if I'm not there, I'd like you to support Suwon FC to the end and help Suwon FC go higher. I was so grateful.He said his goodbyes ." In a subsequent on-site interview, regarding Jeonbuk Hyundai's transfer, "It's a good choice for my career, and I chose it because I have (Park) Ji-sung and there are many good players."I explained the reason directly.

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Lee Seung-woo will greet Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon on the 22nd and then go to Jeonju. After completing the medical test, there is a high possibility that he will wear Jeonbuk's uniform from the match against Gangwon on the 26th. It is regrettable that the transfer negotiations involving Jeonbuk goalkeeper Jung Min-ki and midfielder Kang Sang-yoon only took off after the home game against Daegu on the 14th, and the away games such as Incheon on the 21st and Gwangju on the 27th did not have time to greet Castle Park home fans. Team K League 'Fan Eleven' Most Voted, 'King of Suwon'Lee Seung-woo will also wear Jeonbuk's uniform in the K League 1 All-Star Game against Tottenham on the 31st.

Choi Soon-ho, former South Korea's top striker, thanked Lee Seung-woo for his dedication to Suwon FC over the past three seasonsHe clearly conveyed his intention to meet Lee Seung-woo in person and stay when rumors of a transfer in June spread. Lee Seung-woo is a player who can grow bigger and higher in the big water. He explained, "I let him go after much consideration in hopes of going higher beyond Jeonbuk Hyundai in the future." As for the fans' disappointment in letting go of the 'King of Suwon' during the season, Choi said, `I hope Suwon FC will become stronger as a team in search of Suwon FC's pure identity, not Lee Seung-woo or any individual team. Coach Kim Eun-jung is making the team well, and thanks to this, I was able to make such a difficult decision`Now Suwon FC and Lee Seung-woo have to take on a new challenge. If you're afraid, you lose. I will do my best to make a better team for the fans" he said.

sky4us@sportschosun.com