[Official] The Samsung Dynasty Setter Returns! You Gwang-woo and Kang Seung-il in a 2-for-1 Trade... Lee Sang-wook Heads to Korean Air

*This content was translated by AI.

You Gwang-woo (41), who led the Samsung Fire & Marine dynasty in the men's V-League, has returned.

Daejeon Samsung Fire & Marine Bluefangs announced via its official SNS on the 1st, "The setter who shared a chapter of the Bluefangs' history has returned. A new story begins again with the Bluefangs. We ask for your warm welcome for player You Gwang-woo."

Previously, Samsung Fire & Marine executed a 1-for-2 trade, sending libero Lee Sang-wook (31) to Korean Air in exchange for setter You Gwang-woo and libero Kang Seung-il (21). This marks You Gwang-woo's return to his original team after nine years. After graduating from Inha University, You was selected as the second overall pick in the first round of the 2007–2008 V-League rookie draft and joined Samsung Fire & Marine. He won seven championship rings with Samsung Fire & Marine until his transfer to Woori Card as compensation for Park Sang-ha in the 2017–2018 season.

Traded to Korean Air for the 2019–2020 season, he contributed to building another dynasty. Synchronizing with Han Seong-su (41), he helped secure four consecutive championships from the 2020–2021 season through the 2023–2024 season. He achieved another championship last season, accumulating a total of 12 championship rings.

Samsung Fire & Marine has welcomed back a familiar face. Coach Tommy Tilkikainen (39), who won three titles with Korean Air, has reunited with the team. Kang Seung-il, who also joined the team, has previously played alongside Tilkikainen. After graduating from Sokcho High School, Kang was selected as the first pick in the second round of the 2022–2023 KOVO rookie draft and joined Korean Air, where he received coaching from Coach Tilkikainen for three years.

Coach Tilkikainen left Korean Air after the 2024–2025 season and is returning to the V-League via Samsung Fire & Marine ahead of this season, marking his comeback after two seasons. You Gwang-woo and Kang Seung-il are expected to help Coach Tilkikainen adapt quickly to Samsung Fire & Marine.

Conversely, Korean Air strengthened its defense by acquiring veteran libero Lee Sang-wook. After graduating from Sungkyunkwan University, Lee began his professional career by being selected as the first pick in the third round of the 2017–2018 V-League rookie draft and joining Woori Card. He joined Samsung Fire & Marine in the 2022–2023 season and grew into a starting libero.

Meanwhile, Samsung Fire & Marine announced another trade on the same day, accelerating its roster restructuring. The team executed a 1-for-2 trade, sending setter Noh Jae-wook (34) to OK Savings Bank in exchange for libero Bu Yong-chan (37) and setter Park Tae-seong (25). This trade focused on bolstering the setter position for OK Savings Bank and the libero position for Samsung Fire & Marine.

Bu Yong-chan's return to Daejeon marks his comeback after nine years. Bu made his professional debut when he was selected as the third pick in the first round of the 2011 KOVO rookie draft by LIG Insurance (now KB Insurance). He joined Samsung Fire & Marine ahead of the 2016–2017 season and played there until the 2017–2018 season. In the 2018–2019 season, he moved to OK Savings Bank, where he played until last season and also served as team captain.

Samsung Fire & Marine also strengthened its future by adding a young setter alongside Bu Yong-chan. Park Tae-seong, who is joining Samsung Fire & Marine, was selected as the third pick in the first round of the 2023 KOVO rookie draft by the OK Savings Bank volleyball team. He showed his potential as a starting setter during the early part of the 2024–2025 season.

In return for Bu Yong-chan and Park Tae-seong, Noh Jae-wook, who is heading to Busan OK Savings Bank, is also a championship-winning setter. Known for his quick sets and strength in utilizing outside hitters, he contributed to Hyundai Capital's championship victory in the 2016–2017 season. Additionally, as a tall setter standing 192 cm, he is expected to contribute to defense with his blocking ability.

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*This content was translated by AI.