Seoul:Danish football club FC Midtjylland is making efforts to establish a meaningful and sustainable presence in South Korea by focusing on developing young Korean athletes, as stated by the club's senior executives.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jonas Lygaard, CEO of FC Midtjylland, and Ove Pedersen, the club's vice sporting director, recently visited South Korea. Their visit coincided with Midtjylland's under-17 team participating in the K League International Youth Cup, which included six South Korean youth teams and six international teams.

The presence of South Korean internationals Cho Gue-sung and Hong Hyun-seok in the club, along with Lee Han-beom's past tenure, has significantly increased awareness of FC Midtjylland in South Korea. Lygaard emphasized the importance of understanding the Korean football market and building relationships with local clubs and organizations.

During the visit, Pedersen focused on observing young South Korean players, praising their mentality and work ethic. He expressed interest in working with the next generation of Korean talent, highlighting the club's commitment to nurturing young players and preparing them for top European leagues.

FC Midtjylland's recent success in player sales, including a record-breaking transfer of Dario Osorio to Crystal Palace, underscores the club's expertise in developing players. Pedersen emphasized the importance of identifying potential in young players and creating an environment conducive to their development.

Lygaard and Pedersen's visit marked the beginning of their efforts to integrate into the South Korean football ecosystem, with plans to evaluate their learnings and develop a clear strategy for collaboration with local stakeholders.