K League 1 ins and outs
Winner and losers of the K League Transfer Window
Key to effect = + positive, - negative, x no effect
Transfer window winner: Incheon United
Transfer window loser: Daejeon and Gwangju
Still over a month of the Transfer Window to go but as teams enter the second phase of their winter preseason, transfer activity is dying down a bit, but do expect one or two moves from each team before the league resumes on the 25th February.
Winner Incheon - Losing a lot of their golden oldies at the back but bringing the very best of talent available. Shin Jin-ho the Player of the Year last season and Gerso from Pohang and Jeju respectively significantly weakens their rivals while obviously strengthening your own Xi. Tying up key players to new deals and returning players from Gimcheon Sangmu further bolster the team as they will compete in the Asian Champions League for the first time and will look to consolidate their top 4 position in 2023.
Transfer Window Rating: A+
Loser Daejeon: Some solid business for sure with making Ju Se-jong loan signing permanent as well as number one and two top scorers from K2 last season up top. Loss of Willyn and Kim Jae-woo haven’t really been replaced making CB and wide areas looking a bit suspect. Daejeon finished behind Gwangju but haven’t significantly improved the squad to make you think they will finish above them in K1
Transfer Window Rating: C
Gwangju - Timo Letschert looks an interesting signing while Bedinelli looks decent quality as well. The team rumped to the title last season but you do wonder with the loss of Reis a significant blow. Expect a few more arrivals to try to improve the squad with the Kim Jung-woo transfer slightly unexpected.
Transfer Window Rating: C
Others Pohang: Losing Shin Jin-ho made Pohang a candidate for losing the window but some deals look to be decent acquisitions. Zeca although having a negative Xg last season could be the answer to Pohang’s centre forward woes that haven’t really been addressed since the loss of Iljutchenko two seasons ago. Jury’s out on Kim In-sung, Baek Sung-dong and Oberson, but all could prove astute signings. Kim and Baek both over 30 and have been plying their trade in K2, while Oberson will have to adapt to a new league.
Transfer Window Rating: C+
Ulsan - Adding the two-time K League top scorer and some Scandinavian talent look very good signings. I would say Jun Amano and Leonardo have been replaced and the depth improved in midfield and wide areas.
Transfer Window Rating: A-
Jeonbuk - New goalkeeper has big shoes to fill replacing Song Bum-keun and Jeong Min-ki also has competition for the No.1 jersey from Kim Jeong-hoon; Jeong will have to rid himself of the errors he had at Anyang, including the goal that gave Suwon Bluewings the win in the playoff. Lee Dong-jun, Jun Amano and Jeong Tae-wook are very solid signings but they still lack a left-footed centre back while midfield depth has got much younger. It isn’t clear how the team will set up but with Cho Gue-sung likely to stay until the summer you have to say it’s been a good window.
Transfer Window Rating: B+
Gangwon - Limited ins and outs here with the team relying on those returning from injury like Dino, Lee Gwang-yeon and Han Kook-young. Only real improvements are depth in a few positions. Kim Woo-seok will compete for a start while Yu In-soo seems an upgrade on Jung Seung-yong.
Transfer Window Rating: C+
Jeju - Team will the biggest change from Xi last season to the potential Xi here. Think the manager has got more of what he wants though losing the likes of Joo Min-kyu, Gerso and Yoon Bit-garam looks bad their replacements may be able to fill their boots in a more cohesive manner. Reis and Yuri could strike up an interesting partnership while Yeon Je-woon knows what Nam Ki-il is looking for in a centre back.
Transfer Window Rating: B-
Suwon Bluewings - Losing Oh Hyun-gyu when they wanted to keep him is a blow but prior to that Suwon had been quietly going about a decent transfer window with Acosty and Kim Bo-kyung two excellent signings. Ko Seung-beom return is also a big boost but now they need a striker.
Transfer Window Rating: B
Suwon FC - Suwon keeping their best players will be the best business they do this window. Slightly underwhelming signings to try to fix their leaky backline make it still a concern but the team should look at Jackson and Nissila to provide more this season. No Dong-geon could prove a good free agent signing if he can win the No.1 spot off Park.
Transfer Window Rating: B-
Daegu FC - Bad window for the defence good window for the offense. Daegu squad always lacks depth and that is definitely true this time round again. The Brazilian ‘5’ (if Penha returns) look very good, but at the back losing Jeong Tae-wook and Kim Woo-seok at centre back will mean they depend on youth for backup options.
Transfer Window Rating: C
FC Seoul - Don’t see the loss of Yang Han-bin or the military trio as having that big of an effect. Adding Willyn and Park Soo-il are two reasons to be positive while existing players should improve on last season’s disappointments and fill the gaps of those who have left.
Transfer Window Rating: B
Ross Davis