'Goodbye Yang Hyo-jin': Hyundai E&C executes 'sudden trade' to fill the void with middle blocker Bae Yu-na, swapping setter Lee Soo-yeon

*This content was translated by AI.

Suwon Hyundai E&C is filling the void left by the retirement of 'the best middle blocker in history,' Yang Hyo-jin, through a trade.

On the 27th, Hyundai E&C announced via social networking service (SNS) that it executed a trade, sending 21-year-old setter Lee Soo-yeon to Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation and acquiring veteran middle blocker Bae Yu-na (37) from the same team.

Hyundai E&C was able to put out the urgent fire by acquiring Bae Yu-na. The departure of Yang Hyo-jin, who displayed skills that had not rusted even in her retirement season, created a significant void. Already, with Idahyun (Heungkuk Life) leaving last season, the team had aimed to sign top free agent Jeong Ho-young (25) in this FA market, but Heungkuk Life snatched him away, leaving the club with deep concerns.

Hyundai E&C moved aggressively in the trade. Bae Yu-na earned FA status after the 2025-2026 season, but acquiring her as a free agent would have required paying a compensation fee of 880 million won (200% of last season's salary of 440 million won) plus surrendering a compensation player, creating a heavy burden. The club therefore reached an agreement with Korea Expressway Corporation and successfully completed the deal in a "sign-and-trade" format.

Bae Yu-na recently signed a total contract worth 250 million won (200 million won base salary plus 50 million won option) with her former team, Korea Expressway Corporation, and Hyundai E&C will inherit these contract terms as-is.

Known for her versatility and nicknamed the "Volleyball Genius," Bae Yu-na debuted in the 2007-2008 season as Seon Su-sang-eul (수상). She was named to the Best 7 as a middle blocker in both the 2017-2018 and 2022-2023 seasons.

Bae Yu-na suffered from a meniscus injury caused by a right shoulder dislocation early last season. Korea Expressway Corporation filled the vacancy with top rookie Lee Ji-yun, and even after her rehabilitation, Bae Yu-na's playing time was significantly reduced. She appeared in 24 matches, scoring 86 points with an attack success rate of 39.31% and an attack efficiency of 35.17%. She recorded 24 blocks, averaging 0.375 blocks per set.

Lee Soo-yeon, who joined Hyundai E&C as the 4th pick in the 2024-2025 second round, did not receive many opportunities as she was overshadowed by national team setter Kim Da-in. Although she secured a spot as a backup setter last season by surpassing Kim Sa-rang, she still saw limited playing time and is expected to support Lee Yoon-jeong at Korea Expressway Corporation.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.