Suwon: As they pursue promotion back to the top football league, Suwon Samsung Bluewings are on the verge of signing an MVP-winning defensive back Hong Jeong-ho. About to enter their third straight season in the second-tier K League 2 following relegation from the K League 1, Suwon Samsung recently hired ex-Gwangju FC boss Lee Jung-hyo as new head coach. Prior to that, they cleaned house by deciding not to extend new contracts to a dozen players.
According to Yonhap News Agency, to fill some holes, Suwon Samsung will soon finalize a deal with former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors center back Hong Jeong-ho. Hong, 36, was voted the K League 1 MVP in 2021 after helping Jeonbuk win the title in the top flight. He has been part of five league championship squads with Jeonbuk and has been named to the season-end K League 1 Best XI four times, including this year.
Per sources, Jeonbuk have offered Hong a new contract after his previous deal expired following the end of the season but Hong is expected to sign with Suwon Samsung instead sometime next week. Suwon Samsung, four-time K League 1 champions, suffered direct relegation to the K League 2 in 2023. They qualified for the promotion-relegation playoff this year, but lost to Jeju SK FC by a combined score of 3-0 in their home-and-away battle.
After the failed bid at promotion, Suwon Samsung let go of head coach Byun Sung-hwan and poached Lee from Gwangju FC, where the tactician built a strong track record with the underfunded club. With the new bench boss in charge, Suwon Samsung will now look to shore up their defense. They led the K League 2 with 76 goals this year but tied for the sixth-most with 50 goals conceded.
Also on Friday, Suwon Samsung signed forward Kang Seong-jin to a full contract after acquiring him on a loan deal from FC Seoul this year. Kang only had limited playing time while with FC Seoul in the first half of the season but logged 13 matches for Suwon Samsung after joining them on July 24. Though Kang only scored once, Suwon Samsung said they still see untapped offensive potential in the 22-year-old.
Suwon Samsung will begin offseason training camp on Jan. 7.