Jae-gal Jae-min (23), who has established himself as a top star in the K3 League, is writing his own 'Cinderella story' by going straight to the K League 1.
According to a transfer market official on the 20th, all-weather striker Jae-gal Jae-min, who won the 2023 season's top scorer and MVP with third-tier Mokpo City, confirmed his move to K League 1 Jeju. The transfer process has reportedly been largely finalized, with only an announcement remaining. Kim Hak-beom, who took over as Jeju's new head coach earlier this month, is the club's "No. 1 recruit.
It will be a three-year return to the K League for Jae-gal, who was considered one of the top talents at Dongnai University in high school and swept the tournament's scoring titles. The former Jeonju University student signed a rookie contract with K League 1 Daegu in the 2021 season along with Kim Hee-seung and Kim Tae-yang. However, he realized the high barriers of the professional world and left the team after a year without making his professional debut.
After playing in the K3 League with Gimhae City Hall, Dangjin Citizens, and Mokpo City Hall since last year, Jegal Jae-min burst onto the scene this year with Mokpo, led by coach Cho Deok-je. He scored 12 goals in the season, leading the team to a runner-up finish. Jegal enjoyed the best moment of his soccer career as he was named co-top scorer, MVP, and team of the year. 카지노사이트777
His performance in the 'semi-pro' league put him on the radar of 'professional' clubs. Leading teams in both the K League 1 and K League 2 wanted to sign him, with Jeju being the most active. Seeing his potential, Jeju made a concerted effort to sign him as soon as the season ended, and eventually succeeded in landing the young striker.
From his facial features to his imposing physique and explosive speed, Jagal Jae-min has been described as resembling national team striker Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton). One of his real-life role models is also Hwang Hee-chan. At the K3 and K4 League Awards in 2023, he said that he dreams of playing with Hwang in the national team.
Jegal Jae-min is expected to lead the attacking line with Yuri Jonatan and Seo Jin-soo in Jeju under Hak Bum-son in the 2024 season. Not to mention, he will have to survive fierce competition for a starting spot as he is no longer subject to the 22-year-old rule. Jeju, which finished ninth in the league last season, will hold its first training camp for non-starters on Dec. 26 and will begin full-scale training on Jan. 3 next year.
