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| Source=Minnesota United official website capture |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| Jeong Ho-yeon, who won the K League 1 Young Player Award in 2023. Sports Chosun DB |
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Gwangju's flagship midfielder Jung Ho-yeon (25) succeeded in advancing overseas.
Minnesota United of the U.S. Major League Soccer officially announced the recruitment of Jung Ho-yeon on its official website on the 2nd (Korea time). The contract period is three years until December 2027, with a one-year extension option included, the club explained. 'It will be included on the international list until it receives a P-1 visa and an International Certificate of Transfer (ITC)," it added.
Minnesota reportedly paid Gwangju $1 million (about 1.45 billion won), a buyout amount, to recruit Jung Ho-yeon.
Jung Ho-yeon built a Korean 'Jeong-Jung Duo' with Suwon striker Jung Sang-bin (23), who has played in Minnesota since 2023. Jung Sang-bin, the No. 7 player, has scored seven goals in 61 games over the past two seasons as a winger and a full-back. Jung Sang-bin welcomed Jung Ho-yeon's official post on the club's official SNS with a comment saying, `Let's go.'
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| Source=Minnesota United SNS Capture |
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Minnesota Chief Football Officer Khaled El Ahmad said, `Jung Ho-yeon is a versatile and dynamic midfielder that will add competition and options to our midfield.' I look forward to his impact on our team this season and continued growth in a new chapter of his professional career" he said.
Jeong Ho-yeon, who succeeded in her first overseas expansion, said "I'm really happy to join Minnesota. I'm excited about this new challenge, and grateful for the opportunity to grow with the team. I will do my best to contribute and develop as a player in this new environment."
"Minnesota is a competitive MLS club with outstanding players and coaching staff. I sincerely thank the club for trusting me, and I will try to show the best performance to the fans. "I will try to improve my game and be a valuable asset to the team, and I want to do my best on the field and repay the support with my performance. I look forward to your enthusiastic support" he said.
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| Sportschosun DB |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Jung Ho-yeon is from Gwangju Youth and made her professional debut in Gwangju in 2022 and played a key role in 'Jeong Hyo-ball' for three seasons. Lee Jung-hyo was one of Gwangju's most cherished disciples. He led Gwangju to promotion to the first division through the K League 2 victory in 2022 and won the K League 1 Young Player Award in 2023.
Jung Ho-yeon was selected as a member of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held in 2023, contributing to South Korean soccer's third consecutive gold medal.
In March last year, he made his A-team debut through the second Asian qualifying match for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Thailand.
Since last summer, it has been connected to leading European clubs such as England, Germany and Belgium, but the transfer has not been made due to problems such as transfer fees. Jeong Ho-yeon, who decided this year was the right time to go overseas to grow further, postponed her European dream for a while and accepted Minnesota's proposal. Jeong Ho-yeon, who was engaged in a winter training camp in Thailand, returned home late last month and prepared to go to the U.S.
The 2025 MLS, which will be held on a spring season like the K League, will officially open on the 23rd. Minnesota, which was founded in 2015 and advanced to the playoffs last season by ranking sixth in the West and 11th overall, will face LAFC, which includes former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, in the opening match.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
