[Sports Chosun Reporter Park Chan-jun] Park Seung-wook (Pohang Steelers), the 'Icon of a life reversal,' will be playing in Japan next season.
An insider well-versed in the K League transfer market said, "Park Seung-wook is moving to J1 League's Shimizu S-Pulse. Not only has the transfer fee been negotiated, but personal terms have also been agreed upon. Once minor details like the medical test are finalized, an announcement will be made soon." This move marks Park Seung-wook's first career overseas venture.
Park Seung-wook is the 'epitome of human triumph.' Coming up through Hakseong High School and Dong-Eui University, he was completely unknown. He failed to enter professional football. He had to look toward the K3 League. He joined Busan Transportation Corporation in 2019. An opportunity arose for Park Seung-wook, who consistently improved his skills through regular games. In July 2021, he suddenly received a love call from Pohang Steelers. Then-coach Kim Gi-dong, who had noticed Park Seung-wook's play during a practice match, boldly pushed for his recruitment.
As soon as Park Seung-wook put on the Pohang uniform, he became a starter. He even played in the Asian Champions League final, the stage of dreams. Park Seung-wook didn't stop there. He grew into a representative defender for the K League. In particular, he played vital roles, moving between right full-back, left full-back, central defender, and defensive midfielder. After military enlistment, Park Seung-wook showed his best at Gimcheon Sangmu, and even after returning to Pohang this summer, he showed consistent defensive prowess.
In recognition of these abilities, he experienced the thrill of wearing the national team badge (Taegeuk mark) for the first time in his life. In June 2024, he made his A-match debut in the 5th match of the 2026 North/Central America World Cup Asian Second Qualifier against Singapore. Park Seung-wook, who stepped onto the field in the second half, even recorded an assist. Park Seung-wook has since been called up multiple times under the Hong Myung-bo era, participating in events like the E-1 Championship and successfully accumulating 5 A-match appearances.
Having drawn a steep upward curve, Park Seung-wook finally achieved an overseas move. Clubs in Europe, the Middle East, and China sent love calls to Park Seung-wook, one of the best defenders in the K League. Chinese Super League clubs were particularly aggressive. Park Seung-wook also wanted to test his abilities overseas.
It was then that Shimizu stepped forward. Shimizu, which finished 14th last season and conceded the 14th most goals, made strengthening the defense its top priority this winter. Shimizu, which newly appointed Manager Takayuki Yoshino (who led Vissel Kobe to two titles), targeted Park Seung-wook and dedicated all their efforts to acquiring him. They presented a massive transfer fee that exceeded initial expectations, shaking the hearts of both Pohang and Park Seung-wook. Park Seung-wook, who hasn't given up hope of participating in the World Cup, decided that Japan, rather than China, offered a better opportunity to upgrade himself.
Shimizu is a 'Koreaphile' club in the J League that has seen many Koreans pass through, starting with Ahn Jung-hwan, Cho Jae-jin, Choi Tae-wook, Lee Ki-je, and Oh Se-hun. Park Seung-wook is expected to quickly blend into the team. Pohang is reportedly looking to sign a foreign center-back to replace Park Seung-wook's departure.
기사출처: https://v.daum.net/v/u9zcs7sAFe (다음스포츠)
"Pohang selling off another S-tier product, proving their 'poor but proud' sustainable system is the real K League blueprint. Fans are crying over the transfer but celebrating the massive transfer fee they secured."
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