Asia’s next prodigal talent has received his deserved move to European shores as South Korea international Cho Gue-sung completed his move from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to Danish Superliga giants FC Midtjylland this week, ending a transfer saga that started from winter of last year.
25-year old striker Cho made his breakthrough season in the 2022 campaign, scoring goals for fun at both Jeonbuk and Gimcheon Sangmu, where he spent his mandatory two-year military service. Cho scored a total of 17 goals for both Gimcheon (who were relegated at the end of the season) and Jeonbuk (who finished as runners-up), snagging the 2022 K League 1 Golden Boot trophy in the process.
This rich vein of form, combined with Cho’s success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he became the first South Korean player to score a brace in the tournament, inevitably attracted the attention of European clubs.
Scottish Premiership giants Glasgow Celtic as well as German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 were the ones declaring their interest for Cho in the winter, however they were denied by both Cho and Jeonbuk, with the former staying at the latter until at least summer of this year.
The rejections did not stop EFL Championship side Watford from sending a bid for the striker, although Cho had denied that there were any contact between him and the Hornets in a press conference after Jeonbuk’s 2-1 win over FC Seoul on July 8th, which proved to be Cho’s final match for the club.
Midtjylland, who won three Danish Superliga titles in their history, finished a disappointing 8th place in last season’s league campaign, although by virtue of topping their relegation group and subsequently winning their Europa Conference League play-off, the Ulvene will be playing European football this season.
Thomas Thomasberg’s men also have pedigree in European competitions, beating the likes of Celtic, Southampton, Manchester United, Braga and Lazio in recent years.
Midtylland owner Matthew Benham also owns Brentford in the Premier League, which provides Cho an excellent access to the top five European leagues should he do well in Denmark. And with Cho’s preference of choosing a European club that would give him plenty of minutes, a club of Midtylland’s stature would provide him with excellent opportunity to develop himself as he approaches his prime years, an opportunity that he would not get if he go to a top five league club right from the get-go.