*This content was translated by AI.
Hwang Hee-chan (30)'s team, Wolverhampton Wanderers of the English Premier League (EPL), has a rising sacredness of Chinese soccer. While South Korean soccer was in a somber mood due to the Asian Cup disaster, China was clearly mixed with joy and sorrow as it faced the happy occasion of its prospects entering the EPL.
Wolverhampton officially announced on the club's official website on the 30th (Korea Standard Time) that it has recruited Qingdao West Coast midfielder Xu Bin (21) of the Chinese Super League. According to the club, Shubin joined Wolverhampton as a free agent.
In addition, Wolverhampton said of Xu Bin, "He is a defensive midfielder who can play box-to-box and has a wide pass range," adding, "He is a very highly regarded player in China. Through Guangzhou FC and Qingdao, I have gained a wealth of adult stage experience," he expressed expectations.
Wolverhampton, in particular, noted Shivin's recent performance. Xu Bin led the team to the final at the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, the club said. "This is the first time China, which has not even passed the group stage before, has advanced to the final."
However, it is expected that it will be difficult to see him go on the EPL stage right away. "Shevin will leave for a club in England for the rest of the season to gain experience, learn the language, and adapt to English life," Wolverhampton said. "At the same time, he will remain able to play for Wolverhampton U-21."
China lost 0-4 to Japan in the final of the U-23 Asian Cup and did not win the trophy, but was praised for rewriting its soccer history.
Under the leadership of Xu Bin, the captain of the Chinese national team by age who joined Wolverhampton, China showed a salty defense that lasted five consecutive games from the group stage to the semifinals, and achieved the feat of advancing to the finals for the first time in history. In particular, he gained momentum by winning 3-0 against Vietnam led by head coach Kim Sang-sik in the semifinals.
Xu Bin's trip to the EPL has already been dealt with in the UK. Britain's "Team Talk" said about a day before the official announcement that Shubin's Wolverhampton contract was virtually completed.
The Asian Cup's strong performance was crucial. Shubin played in six matches during the tournament, scoring 10 interceptions and a 73% pass success rate, making sure to impress Wolverhampton.
On the other hand, Korean soccer experienced an indelible disgrace. South Korea got off to a shaky start in the group stage, losing to Uzbekistan, which is made up of under-21 players.
Nightmares have become a reality in the tournament. South Korea lost 0-1 in the semifinals against Japan's U-21 national team, which was composed of players two years younger than them, after a lethargic performance. The shock did not end here. In the 3rd and 4th place match, Kim Sang-sik met Vietnam and drew 2-2, and then suffered a great humiliation of losing 6-7 after a bloody penalty shootout.
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*This content was translated by AI.
