Erase Asani, 196cm FW Friedjornsson from Iceland, Gwangju Lee Jung Hyo...Korean Cup Winner
Aug 06, 2025
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An official from the transfer market said on the 6th (Korea time), "Gwangju is about to recruit Holmbert Friedjonsson (32), a striker from the Icelandic national team. The announcement of the recruitment was only delayed due to waiting for the visa issuance, and I understand that the transfer process was completed within the summer transfer market period. I've already arrived in Gwangju, and I'm building up" he said.
According to the official, Friedjohnson is expected to join the squad that returned to Gwangju after the K-League All-Star Game break on the 6th and start in earnest 'Learning Jeonghyo Ball'. The physical condition should be considered first due to the long period of not being able to play in the actual game, but due to team circumstances, there is a possibility that the away game against Pohang in the 25th round of the K League 1 at Pohang Steelyard on the 10th will be his debut match.
It is because Gwangju is crying over the lack of useful strikers. Albania's national winger Asani (8 goals), who scored the most in the team, has been playing 'hard carry' since July with his "crazy left foot', but suddenly decided to transfer to Iran's Estegral without consulting Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo and the Gwangju club in early August, causing controversy. The club is in a position to find the best way, but it is difficult to reverse the mind that has already left. Even if there is no 'complete bilateral agreement' before the match against Pohang, it is unclear whether coach Lee will include Asani in the entry for the match against Pohang.
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Gwangju has scored 25 goals, just over one point per game, as of the 24th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025" amid the sluggishness of the strikers together. He is ranked 10th with the lowest score, following 8th place in Gangwon Province and 12th place in Daegu (more than 24 goals). Even though the game is well-rounded, there are many matches that draw or lose. The match against Jeonbuk (1-2 loss) in the 24th round is representative. Currently, Gwangju's ranking is not rising to the top of the group due to its lack of points and sixth place (32 points), which is in the Final A group.
This is why Gwangju, which is tightening its belt due to fiscal consolidation, is trying to recruit Fried Jonsson by squeezing money without it. Gabriel, who failed to recover his record after a knee injury, terminated the contract and made room for Fried Jonsson. Coach Lee plays soccer that values fast-tempo passes, but after taking office in Gwangju, he enjoyed using tall strikers such as Lee Kun-hee (Kimcheon) and Heo Yul (Ulsan). It gave it a forward compression mission, but it also relied on set-piece attacks. Gwangju's header scoring ratio this season was 12% (3 goals), down from 19% (8 goals) in the last 2024 season. Friedjonsson is a tall striker with the same height (1m96) as 'monster'Malkon (Ulsan) and is considered to have strength in the header. Like Norwegian striker Erling Holan (Man City), he is left-footed. Even if they do not score directly, they are expected to contribute to diversification of scoring routes through postplay and linked play. Gwangju is aiming to win the first Korea Cup in the club's history at the same time as 'Saëns' (top split) this season. Currently, he has reached the semi-finals of the Korea Cup and faces Bucheon.
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Fried Jonsson, who has represented Iceland by age, debuted for the national team in 2015 and has experienced six A matches (two goals) so far. Fried Jonsson's rich international experience in Gwangju, which has yet to produce regulars for the Korean national team, is bound to be valuable.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
