South Korean midfielder Jung Woo-young (R) competes for the ball against Brazil's Oscar in this file photo. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan FC officially signed South Korean midfielder Jung Woo-young on Wednesday to become the newest South Korean footballer to suit up in China's top-flight association football competition, according to Yonhap News.
The 26-year-old Ulsan, South Korea native was given a three-year deal "with a club option for the fourth season" and the exact amount of the contract undisclosed.
Jung began his senior career with Japan's second-tier squad Kyoto Sanga FC in 2011. He stayed with the club for three years where he spent the 2013 season on loan to J1 League's Júbilo Iwata.
From there he was transferred to the Japanese top-flight squad Vissel Kobe in 2014 where he played for two seasons.
The defensive midfielder appeared in a total of 170 games in all competitions so far during his entire career, scoring seven times in the process mainly as a defender.
Chongqing has also recently acquired South Korean manager Chang Woe-ryong to be the team's head coach this coming season. The 56-year-old bench tactician is a former South Korea international and has almost 30 years of experience coaching football in different levels. His last stint was with China League One team Qingdao Jonoon FC from 2012 to 2013.
The New York Times recently reported the CSL's recent penchant to "raid South Korean clubs for talent" as the country's soccer league is said to be the most successful in Asia, "with its clubs winning a combined total of 10 continental championships, five more than any other (Asian) country".
Jung is the 10th South Korean player to join the China top-flight as eight of the 16 CSL teams have at least one player from the said country this 2016.
