Big-handed Daejeon One big investment, Special Sumi Kim Bong-soo's surprise recruitment...He's trying to win the championship with a powerful midfield
Jun 08, 2025
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An official from the transfer market said on the 8th (Korea time) "Kim Bong-soo will leave Jeju and build a new nest in Daejeon." With a transfer fee agreement between clubs and a personal settlement completed, only medical tests are left"Kim Bong-soo's deal is in a "big official" (almost official) state."
According to the official, Daejeon spent a double-digit transfer fee that is not common on the K-League stage to recruit Kim Bong-soo, who has just been discharged from the military. Kim Bong-soo's salary has also increased significantly compared to the previous salary. This is a glimpse of Daejeon's willingness to strengthen its power to win the championship. Kim Bong-soo, who played for the U-23 national team from 2021 to 2023, reunited with Hwang Sun-hong, the coach of the U-23 team at the time.
Daejeon was engulfed in a slump in mid-May, coupled with the injury of key midfielder Bob Shin. In the last five games where Bob Shin did not start, he won only one game (two draws and two losses) and gained five points. He also lost the lead position, which he has continued since the fourth round in early March. As of the 17th round, it has 32 points, three points behind the leader Jeonbuk (35 points).
From the standpoint of Daejeon, which is challenging the presidential election, Kim Bong-soo's recruitment was more of a necessity, not an option. Kim Bong-soo is considered the best third-tier resource in the K-League at this time. It is evaluated that it combines explosive activity, unwavering stability, smooth airlift connection and solid defense, which are essential virtues of modern soccer defensive midfielders.
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Coach Hwang recently formed various combinations of midfield resources, including Lee Soon-min, Kang Yoon-sung and Kim Joon-beom, but all of them left a regret. In the last four games, the midfield has been shaken, giving up eight goals, or two per game. He scored four goals in four games, and his offense was not smooth. With the addition of Kim Bong-soo, Hwang built the league's strongest midfield duo of Bob Shin and Kim Bong-soo. As Kim Bong-soo is a multi-player who plays from box-to-box to full-back and three-back, it is also possible to form various midfield combinations.
Kim Bong-soo challenged the professional stage by joining Jeju Island in 2021 as a member of Gwangju University. Kim Bong-soo, who was receiving the lowest annual salary at the time, became a sensation with three goals and one assist in 28 games in his first year with the full trust of former Jeju coach Nam Ki-il. He played 149 games (five goals and five assists) in four and a half seasons due to his steady performance without any ups and downs. Kim Bong-soo, who joined the Armed Forces Sports Unit in December 2023, was discharged from the military on the 3rd. It is said that he said goodbye to the team at the Jeju clubhouse in Seogwipo on the 5th and headed to Daejeon.
Kim Bong-soo, who is scheduled to conduct a medical test in Daejeon early next week, will immediately begin adapting to the new team. Coincidentally, after the A match break, there is a possibility that he will make his debut in a Daejeon uniform against the former team, Gimcheon, at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on the 18th.
Meanwhile, Jeju is in a tough fight to the point of falling into 10th place, which is in the relegation zone, but it is reported that they have accepted the transfer offer in respect of the player's will to seek a new challenge after being discharged from the military. Jeju coach Kim Hak-beom, who has high-quality midfield resources such as Lee Chang-min's departure, plans to focus his efforts on recruiting wingers who will shake the side to ease the disappointment of the attack. Jeju, which has been undefeated in four consecutive games, is scheduled to play an 18th round home game against Daegu on the 14th.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
