East Asia Asian Players in Europe

Han Kwang-Song becomes the first North Korean to play in Serie A

Han Kwang-Song made history today when he became the first North Korean to play in Serie A.

Han was given his debut in the Cagliari shirt when he was substituted in for Marco Sau in the 86th minute, as the Sardinians came from behind to win 3-1 at Palermo.

Cagliari signed Han a month ago to their primavera team after a successful trial. Ajax Amsterdam were also rumored to be interested in the player, but Han chose to join the Italian side instead.

Han already impressed his new club by scoring the winning goal in the 4-1 victory against Parma a few weeks ago in Viareggio Tournament.

Han Kwang-Song won the Asian Under-16 Championship with North Korea in 2014 and “impressed international observers” at the U17 World Cup a year later.

Fiorentina signed a teenage football prodigy from North Korea last year but Choe Song-Hyok lasted just four months in Italy before being released from his contract.