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Oh Hyun-kyu's team, KRC Genk, has fully recruited a Japanese striker.
Genk announced the complete recruitment of Japanese striker Ayumu Yokoyama on its official website on the 25th (Korea time). Genk said 'Yokoyama moved from Birmingham City on loan in the winter of 2024 and played in the second half of last season. Yokoyama was recognized by the club's sports department for his potential and growth potential. The club has now decided to extend its contract with Yokoyama, Japan's national youth team, for the next four seasons. Yokoyama will fully join the first-team squad from this season,' he said.
Yokoyama is a promising Japanese player born in 2003. He made his debut with Matsumoto Yamaga, a Japanese J2 League player in 2021. However, the team was demoted as soon as they made their debut. In the J3 League, Yokoyama jumped to Matsumoto's starting lineup and scored 11 league goals and one assist. He was able to transfer to the Japanese J1 League Sagan Toss. Yokoyama, who showed good growth even with few opportunities in Sagan, was called by Birmingham in the summer of 2024.
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Baek Seung-ho, a member of the South Korean national team, said, "Birmingham fell to the English League 1 (third division) and was aiming to be promoted, so we could not give Yokoyama many opportunities. Yokoyama, who played mainly in cup competitions and replacements, was thirsty for playing time and decided to rent in half a season and a half. It was hired by Genk, but it was a loan to the second team.
Yokoyama, who was in a hurry to play, accepted it. It was a challenging transfer because if he played well in the second division, he could have a chance to transfer to the first division. Yokoyama did not show great performance in Genk's second-tier team, but his potential was recognized, and Genk decided to completely recruit him. Yokoyama is a resource to see left wingers and strikers. He also played both positions in Genk's second division.
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Lee Kang-in is cheering with Oh Hyun-kyu and Jeon Jin-woo after scoring a goal. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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Yokoyama will have to compete with Oh Hyun-kyu, the South Korean national striker, next season. Oh Hyun-kyu moved to Genk ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Oh Hyun-kyu, who played as a backup striker for Genk, had his best season since entering Europe with 12 goals and 3 assists, showing amazing efficiency. Even if he played as a substitute until the middle of the season, he did not score because he had too little time to play, but in the second half of the season, his scoring ability also improved as the playing time increased.
In response, Genk selected Oh Hyun-kyu as the starting player next season because Tolu Arcodare, the main striker, is likely to advance to the European big league. In fact, Feyenoord, who has Hwang In-beom, tried to recruit Oh Hyun-kyu, but refused at once. In other words, his faith in Oh Hyun-kyu is clear.
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. After Lee Kang-in's additional goal, Oh Hyun-kyu is cheering after scoring a goal. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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Yokoyama also decided to completely transfer, although he must have been aware of the club's situation. He expressed his willingness to compete with Oh Hyun-kyu. Still, Yokoyama is likely to be Oh Hyun-kyu's backup resource, although he expressed it as a word of competition. He is expected to receive a chance on behalf of Oh Hyun-kyu when he is already certain to win the Cup.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
