Ex-Chengdu Rongcheng Assistant Coach Pulls Off a Coup; Andriyko Set for Loan Move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

On July 15, multiple South Korean media outlets reported that Chengdu Rongcheng’s foreign player, Andriyko, underwent a medical at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and is poised to make a return to the K League on a six-month loan.

Prior to this, Daejeon Hana Citizen, who are not short of funds, and Pohang Steelers, who hold AFC Champions League tickets, both engaged in contract negotiations with Andriyko. However, it was Kim Dou-hyun, the former chief assistant coach at Chengdu Rongcheng, who made a surprise move to bring Andriyko to Jeonbuk.

As the new head coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kim Dou-hyun has been eager to strengthen his squad since taking charge. His main transfer targets were a central defender and an inverted right winger. However, all inquiries to Jeju United regarding Yeom Ji-won and Gangwon FC about Kim Young-bin, as well as efforts to sign FC Ansan’s winger Yago, were met with rejections. Negotiations with Japanese center-back Iwana Takuya also reached an impasse.

Fortunately, the team has recently seen some success in the transfer market. After signing South Korean midfielder Hanguk Young from Gangwon, they also managed to poach Jun Jin-mun and Ryu Deok-heui from relegated Suwon Samsung Bluewings. In order to further reinforce their attack, they terminated the contract with long-term injury absentee Binicius, freeing up a foreign player slot for Andriyko.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors find themselves in a precarious position, sitting second from bottom in the league table after 23 rounds of play. Last night, they suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat away to military team Gwangju FC.