'Korean National Team Winger' Recognized by European Powerhouse, Achieving Double Crown... Yang Hyun-jun Sweeps 'Young Player of the Year' and 'Goal of the Year'

*This content was translated by AI.

A winger for the South Korean national team has been recognized by a European powerhouse. Yang Hyun-jun (23) rose as the top new star chosen by local fans of Celtic FC in Scotland, securing the honor of a season double crown.

Celtic FC announced the results of the 2025-2026 season awards ceremony on the 4th (Korea time) via its official website. Yang Hyun-jun secured the Young Player of the Year award, selected through supporter voting, while also sweeping the Goal of the Year award with a spectacular goal scored against Rangers in last year's Old Firm Derby, becoming the main protagonist.

Yang Hyun-jun made a strong impression with sharp dribbling during the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup, but his position within the team later became unstable, and at one point he was overshadowed by competitors such as Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Yang Min-hyuk (Coventry City), missing calls to the national team.

However, Yang Hyun-jun broke through the crisis with his skills. Despite being evaluated as a player outside the team's plans at one point, he showcased unparalleled performance this season, starting in 25 of 28 Scottish Premiership matches and scoring 7 goals. His status within the team soared vertically, with the local media outlet 'BBC' Scotland edition praising, "It was a loss for Celtic FC not to utilize Yang Hyun-jun earlier."

His outstanding performance with his club led to his selection in Hong Myung-bo's national team squad. Yang Hyun-jun was called up to the national team in March, making substitute appearances in matches against Côte d'Ivoire and Austria, demonstrating his presence. Particularly playing as the right wing-back in a back-three formation, he raised expectations for joining the final roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and Central America.

Celtic FC is especially enthusiastic about Yang Hyun-jun's Goal of the Year in the rivalry match against Rangers. The club stated, "Yang Hyun-jun's spectacular goal in the derby against Rangers was the goal of the year," and "The Player of the Year award chosen by fans also belonged to Yang Hyun-jun. He recorded 9 goals this season, contributing significantly to the championship challenge."

Meanwhile, at the awards ceremony that day, Benjamin Nigren swept both the Player of the Year chosen by players and the Player of the Year chosen by fans, achieving a triple crown. In the women's team, Maria McAneny won the Goal of the Year after scoring in just 4.1 seconds.

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*This content was translated by AI.