Ulsan Hyundai FC bid adieu to one striker and welcomed a new forward in a span of hours on Thursday.
Shimizu S-Pulse of the top Japanese competition, J1 League, announced Thursday they will acquire former Ulsan forward Oh Se-hun on a complete transfer. The deal will be finalized once Oh passes the medical test in Japan.
Oh, 23, made his K League debut with Ulsan in 2018, and also had a loan stint with Asan Mugunghwa in the K League 2. He completed his military service with another second-tier club, Sangju Sangmu, before rejoining Ulsan in 2021.
He had 11 goals in 35 matches in the K League 1, and seven goals in 34 matches in the K League 2. The forward was also a key member of South Korean runner-up team at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
This will be Oh’s first foray into an overseas league. Former South Korean internationals Ahn Jung-hwan and Cho Jae-jin once played for Shimizu.
Ulsan quickly filled that void by acquiring Brazilian forward Leo Souza, or simply Leonardo.
The 24-year-old was the top scorer in the third-tier J3 League in Japan in 2018, with 24 goals in 31 matches for Gainare Tottori. Playing for the J2 League side Albirex Niigata in 2019, Leonardo won another scoring title, with 28 goals in 38 contests.
Leonardo reached J1 league in 2020 with Urawa Red Diamonds, and netted 11 goals in 28 matches there.
He split the 2021 season with Shandong Taishan and Hebei FC in the Chinese Super League, scoring twice in 20 matches combined.
Ulsan said Leonardo has already proven his goal scoring chops, and praised his positioning in front of the net and his nose for the goal. His extensive experience in Asia should help his adjustment to the K League, Ulsan added.
Source: Yonhap News Agency