A Korean duo from the Bundesliga was born to succeed the “Earth Commando.”
Germany’s “Sky” and “Kicker” all reported on the 28th (local time) that South Korea’s national midfielder Hong Hyun-suk (25, Hent) will be transferred to Mainz. “Mainz is about to recruit Korean Hong Hyun-suk,” Sky reported. “Hong Hyun-seok’s transfer fee, whose contract with Hent is scheduled to expire in the summer of 2025, will reach 6 million euros (about 8.9 billion won).” 스포츠토토
Belgian journalist Sasha Tabolieri also said, “Hong is finally close to advancing to the Bundesliga! He is already staying in Germany to finalize the transfer process.”
“Kicker” predicted that Hong Hyun-seok will become Mainz’s highest transfer fee player this summer, and that “Official” (transfer announcement) will be released on the 29th. Mainz has invested 2.5 million euros (about 3.7 billion won) in recruiting Japanese midfielder Sano Kaishu.
According to data from “Transfermarkt”, a website specializing in transfer fees, it is the first time in two years that Mainz has invested more than 6 million euros in the transfer market since the summer of 2022. At that time, French midfielder Angelo Fulgani (currently Rennes) was acquired from Angé for 6 million euros. Kicker reported that Hong Hyun-seok’s transfer fee was 4 million euros.
For Hong Hyun-seok, the failure to transfer to Trabzonspor in Turkiye became a blessing in disguise.
“I’m going to Turkiye because I want to go,” Hong said on his SNS account while transferring to Trabzonspor was gaining momentum. He wanted the agent to make sure that he was not going to Turkiye because he was pushed against his back. In Belgium and Turkey, there were reports that he would sign a contract for a transfer fee of 4 million euros.
Coach Suther Franken Hent said a de facto goodbye on the 19th, excluding Hong Hyun-seok from the entry against Vestelo, but he reportedly disagreed with Travjonspor on buyouts and tax issues during the negotiations. Travjonspor hoped to set a buyout amount of 12 million euros to receive a high price when relocating in the future, and Hong Hyun-seok reportedly demanded 6 million euros, half of that.
Meanwhile, Mainz jumped into the recruitment race. According to sources in the transfer market, Mainz has been steadily looking for a Korean successor and partner to Lee Jae-sung, the 32-year-old ace. Jeong Ho-yeon (Gwangju), a “quiet soccer scholar” who made the A-team roster in September, is also on the list. However, Mainz has decided to boldly “bet” Hong, who has already completed his qualification in the Belgian league. “Kicker” said Hong will replace Tom Klaus, who moved to Luton Town in the second division of England.
Hong Hyun-suk, a left-footed attacking midfielder like Lee Kang-in, is from Ulsan HD Youth and has played overseas including Unterhatching, Junior Ross, and LASK since 2018. He moved to the current club Hent in 2022 and scored 16 goals in 97 games. Last year, he participated in the Hangzhou Asian Games and contributed to South Korea’s winning of the gold medal. Hong Hyun-suk, wearing the Hent uniform, played in seven games, including the Cup, this season, recording two goals and three assists.
If Hong Hyun-suk confirms his joining of Mainz, he will play with Lee Jae-sung, a senior player who made a connection in the national team. It is the birth of a Korean duo in the Bundesliga who will succeed Koo Ja-cheol (currently Jeju) and Ji Dong-won (currently Suwon FC), who worked with Augsburg in the past. Koo Ja-cheol also teamed up with Park Joo-ho (retired) for Mainz. As Lee Jae-sung, who is famous for taking good care of his juniors, is not expected to have a big problem in adapting. Marco Richter, who joined Mainz No. 10 last season, left for Hamburg on loan, and his No. 10 is currently empty. Hong Hyun-suk has No. 21 in LASK and No. 7 in Hent. Mainz No. 7 is Lee Jae-sung.
The number of Korean players to play in the Bundesliga this season will increase to four including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Jung Woo-young (Unyon Berlin). Jung left Stuttgart on Monday for Union for a season.