K리그1・2의 최신 소식을 모두 확인 할 수 있는 공간입니다.
Some K League players are so synonymous with their current clubs that it is hard to imagine them playing for another team. Some even played for their current team's rivals. The next instalment in this new series Changing Allegiances takes a look at some more well-known K League stars and the other clubs they represented once upon a time.
Whereas some players may have played for their current team's rivals, some have even played for clubs that are no longer around. That's the case for current Jeju United striker Joo Min-kyu. Although Joo made his name playing for Seoul E-Land in the Leopards' debut season in 2015, the 2021 K League 1 top scorer actually began his career with Goyang Zaicro (pictured above), a team that ceased to exist after the 2016 campaign. Joo played 59 times for Goyang, scored seven and provided two assists and was largely seen as an attacking midfielder rather than the out-and-out striker that he is today. It wasn't until the 31-year-old joined Seoul E-Land in 2015 following his two-year stint with Goyang that his goal-scoring potential was fully realised. In his first season in the capital, Joo scored 23 in 39 K League 2 appearances as what was then Martin Rennie's side reached the playoffs. The 31-year-old has been with Jeju since February 2020 after joining from Ulsan Hyundai.
K League club history: Goyang Zaicro, Seoul E-Land, Sangju Sangmu (loan), Ulsan Hyundai, Jeju United
K League apps: 253
Goals: 100
Assists: 26
Jeju United wing-back Ahn Hyun-beom has been with the Islanders since 2016 and, other than a spell with Asan as part of his military service, it would be hard to picture him playing for another team. But Ahn's K League journey began with Ulsan Hyundai (pictured above) in 2015. He made 17 K League appearances in his debut season before sealing a move to the island. Still a key player for Jeju United, Ahn will be looking to help push the Islanders back into AFC Champions League contention in 2022.
K League club history: Ulsan Hyundai, Jeju United, Asan Mugunghwa (loan)
K League apps: 179
Goals: 24
Assists:16
[READ: Changing Allegiances: Han Kyo-won, Kim Tae-hwan, Yun Il-lok, Lee Keun-ho]
Suwon Samsung Bluewings goalkeeper Noh Dong-geon has been sharing the number one spot at Big Bird with Yang Hyeon-mo for the last couple of seasons. But before he had cemented himself as a first-team player for the Bluewings, Noh went out on loan to Pohang Steelers to gain match experience. Noh spent the 2017 season at the Steel Yard and made 13 appearances for what was then Choi Soon-ho's Pohang team. While Noh had already recorded his first K League cleansheet - a 0-0 draw at home to Gyeongnam in 2014 - while at Pohang, he was unable to and conceded 24 goals in his 13 matches. The 2019 season was his best, to date, 12 cleansheets in 26 league matches.
K League club history: Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Pohang Steelers (loan)
K League apps: 131
Cleansheets: 31
Another Suwon Bluewing with an East Coast connection is left wing-back Lee Ki-je. Lee actually began his career in Japan with Shimizu S-Pulse in 2012 before moving to A-League with Newcastle Jets three years later. After one season in New South Wales, Lee then signed for Ulsan Hyundai where he went on to win the FA Cup in 2017. While with the Horangi, Lee made 56 appearances and laid on three assists before then sealing a move to Suwon Bluewings in 2018. Lee was ever-present last season, featuring in all 38 K League 1 matches for Park Kun-ha's side, scoring five and assisting five.
K League club history: Ulsan Hyundai, Suwon Bluewings
K League Apps: 104
Goals: 7
Assists: 11
[READ: Changing Allegiances: Yeom Ki-hun, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Yong, Hong Chul]
Paul Neat
Managing Editor
