Overnight a couple of credible tweets have claimed that Celtic are in discussions to sign Yang Hyun-jun from Korean club Gangwon.
The 21-year-old winger is under contract until December 2025 but has also been recently linked with Fenerbahce which suggests that a transfer could be happening this summer.
A recently published You Tube video shows a highly skilful, pacey winger with more than a passing resemblance to Liel Abada which puts together a few pieces in the transfer jigsaw.
The Israeli has been linked with a move away from Celtic since the turn of the year, despite impressive scoring statistics Abada has mainly been used as a substitute this season, coming off the bench in the Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle to score and assist for Jota.
Clearly the January signing of Oh Hyeon-gyu was initiated by Ange Postecoglou but with contact established and a pre-season match against Wolves next summer in Korea links are obvious.
Transfer discussions have largely been overlooked so far this summer but once Brendan Rodgers holds his first media conference speculation will turn to comings and goings with what is expected to be a very substantial transfer budget.
BREAKING: According to Korean media, Celtic have sent an official transfer offer to Gangwon FC for Yang Hyun-Jun.
The offer is believed to be “significant and final” as Celtic await Gangwon’s response. The player is eager to move to Celtic. ???????? pic.twitter.com/i54zHnZfpj
— Jason (Hanshin) Lee (@Jasons_JaysHub) June 22, 2023
Seems Gangwon are playing hard ball given their league position and state they want Yang Hyun-jun to stay or be returned for a 6 month loan from Celtic if the transfer is to happen in the summer #kleague #Transfers https://t.co/FI3OyBlIRQ
— Ross Davis (@kleaguenglish) June 22, 2023
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Hyun-jun is described in a profile on K League United as:
It’s often in times when your back is against the wall, that an unlikely breakthrough is made. Gangwon themselves know that, with their own survival last year being all the necessary proof needed to back such a statement up.
But this time, the words are applicable to one particular player: Yang Hyun-jun. And, while his foray into the Gangwon first team is anything but unlikely – he has shown all the assets needed to be a key player going forward – it’s conceivable that he would not have ended up as prevalent as he has been in the first eleven should Dino Islamovic remained fit.
The K League Young Player of the month for April, as well as the winner of Gangwon’s overall individual accolade for the same period, it’s now inarguable that the 19-year-old has proved himself capable of impacting games at the highest domestic level.
With four goal contributions so far in his league appearances (1 goal, 3 assists), his regular presence is aiding in filling a massive gap left by the injury of Dino Islamovic, as well as lessening the impact of Lee Jeong-hyeop’s underperformance (and current injury). Put simply, Yang is ensuring that the Bears’ attacking play is not ending up as stale as it was in large periods last year, while also carrying the burden of increased responsibility.
In a similar vein to how Kim Dae-won was integral in 2021 to the Bears, should Yang Hyun-jun’s goal contributions be taken away, the provincial club would be three points worse off, leaving them 11th.
While that’s only a one-place difference, and none of these goals or assists have directly led to victory, it’s important enough to matter to a side who were so close to relegation last year.
Every last positive result counts, so if the 19-year-old can contribute towards more of them, it’ll ultimately go a long way in helping Gangwon attempt to secure survival again this campaign.
However, there’s more to praise than just face value, easily digestible statistics, or how his contributions have led to points. There’s an element of enjoyable freedom in Yang’s play, the type of which only a raw player can truly have.
When he progresses the ball it’s often swift, unpredictable and eye-catching. There are plenty of mistakes made in this area, sure, but in a team which lacks an element of attacking punch, the “maybe it’ll work this time” type feeling, in addition to the eagerness in the player’s game, really helps.
With an added clinical edge, or perhaps just a more defined calmness, such errors will most likely be alleviated anyway.
Of course, it does help that Yang is adaptable. Across his appearances so far, the forward has played on either side of a front three, shared striking duties with Kim Dae-won, and even ventured into the number 10 position. While it’s clear that the right wing is where he is most skilled, it’s a helpful asset to be able to play wherever is needed, without much detriment to play (from his least familiar position just behind the striker, Yang got his first, and as of right now only, K League goal).
What a prospect this kid is snap him up brendan.