Captain Kim Hye-ri will continue to challenge until the day she retires from her first league transfer battle

Dec 16, 2024

Coach Wuhan Zinda who has been eager to recruit Kim Hye-ri and South Korea's fighting spirit defender Captain Kim Hye-ri.

"I'll keep trying until the day I retire."

Kim Hye-ri is the first Korean women's soccer team to enter the Chinese league at the age of 34. Kim Hye-ri visited the Wuhan Zinda club in the Chinese Women's Super League in early December, shortly after the A team's away match in Spain, and returned home on the 9th after a medical test. He signed a one-plus-one-year contract from January 1 next year. In a meeting with Chang Weiwei, a former coach for the Chinese women's national team, he confirmed the sincerity of the Wuhan club amid the hospitality of the staff. Wuhan Zinda sent a love call to Kim Hye-ri after the Women's Asian Champions League (WACL) Incheon Hyundai Steel (0-2 loss) on October 9. Kim Hye-ri, who had a one-year contract with Hyundai Steel, consulted with the club after the end of the season after much consideration. Incheon Hyundai Steel's move to China was made in a surprise move to 'Actual Legend', which lifted 10 cups in 11 seasons from 2014. Hyundai Steel said "We will proceed with the transfer in honor of Kim Hye-ri, who has devoted himself to the team for more than 10 years." Wuhan Zinda also offered Hyundai Steel an unprecedented transfer fee in the club's history, and Kim Hye-ri also promised the club's highest salary and number 20. We have prepared to welcome the team's restaurant with kimchi and a 24-hour Korean interpretation staff.

Kim Hye-ri's soccer journey is the history of women's soccer in Korea. He led the under-20 World Cup third place with his best friend Ji So-yeon in 2010, played in all three World Cups: Canada in 2015, France in 2019, and Australia-New Zealand in 2023, and kicked the captain's armband in coach Colin Bell's absolute confidence. He freely moved between center back and full back, leading the fighting spirit defense in 128 A matches (one goal). He is a confident and solid player. Kim Hye-ri, a club legend who led Incheon Hyundai Steel to its 10th victory and also a candidate for this year's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Player of the Year award, chose to challenge herself confidently in her mid-30s. Kim Hye-ri said "When I first heard from Wuhan, the contract period was left, and I thought lightly that 'the degree of interest' should come, but it progressed quickly" After deciding to transfer, the most common words heard by people around him were "I should have already left." was. In fact, there have been several opportunities over the past decade. He changed his mind several times due to his sincerity toward Hyundai Steel and the leaders' dissuasion, but this time it was different. "I told So-yeon about the contract, and she said, 'This has to go no matter what.'" "I've learned and gained a lot from my 11 years in the team of Hyundai Steel. It's time for a change," he said, revealing the background of the transfer. "I decided to challenge myself because I thought that the opportunity might not come in my football life that is just around the corner, and this time it would be good for me to think about it alone."

Kim Hye-ri thanked Incheon Steel for making a big decision even though the contract period was left. "The club decided to send me to support me on a grand scale." Hyundai Steel is the team I devoted my youth to, and it's like home. I will support Hyundai Steel no matter where I play,' he added. "It didn't feel real until I wrote the resignation letter of Hyundai Steel. I couldn't write it. Many emotions overlapped with each other," he said, expressing his feelings toward Hyundai Steel. As the transfer is decided after the season, it is regrettable that he leaves without being able to greet his affectionate fans. "I want to come and say hello to my fans during the off-season or vacation. I hope there will be such an opportunity."

Kim Hye-ri said, `Now I have fewer days to play soccer than I did. He chose a path to further development amid competition and change rather than stability. He said, "He's not the type to avoid challenges." "More than anything, I'm grateful and happy that I can transfer to the team I want." expressed his feelings. "China is not a big league like Europe, but I felt strongly that it wanted me. The coach, who has been watching for a long time in the national team, said 'Players with different quality for football' and 'I didn't know it would really come. Thank you so much, he welcomed me. "Wuhan is the number one team in the Chinese Women's Super League. The team will also play in the ACL next year and have four to five Chinese national teams. Former national team coach Colin Bell, who particularly cared for Captain Kim Hye-ri, has been appointed as a coach under the age of 20 in Chinese women's soccer. "I spoke to the director on the phone. He congratulated me on the challenge, saying it was good."

Kim Hye-ri, who has paved the way for Korean women's soccer, has made it clear that she will not stop challenging herself. "I will continue to challenge myself until the day I retire. I want to retire while maintaining good form. He played in the WK League for 14 years. Maybe I can play soccer comfortably. But I want to develop further through the new challenge of the Chinese league. With the responsibility that I have to work hard so that my juniors and other players can continue their challenges, I will do my best day by day and every moment with the mindset that I have not gone" delivered his pledge.

sky4us@sportschosun.com

Captain Kim Hye-ri will continue to challenge until the day she retires from her first league transfer battle

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