'Non-FA multi-year contract' Seo Geon-chang's impact is this great! Six wins and three losses after joining: "It may be a coincidence, but I feel both the pleasantness and the sense of accomplishment from victory"

*This content was translated by AI.

Infielder Seo Geon-chang (37) has effectively declared himself a lifelong Hero. Having returned to his original team after a roundabout journey, Seo is continuing his season aimed at escaping last place, with news of a non-FA (free agent) multi-year contract.

On the 20th, Kiwoom announced that it had signed infielder Seo Geon-chang to a non-FA multi-year contract with a term of two years and a total value of up to 600 million won (500 million won in annual salary plus a 100 million won option). Having previously signed a one-year contract worth 120 million won with Kiwoom ahead of this season, Seo can now continue his tenure with the team stably until 2028.

Ahead of the game on that day, Seo Geon-chang met with reporters on-site and said, "I am grateful to the club that offered me a good contract." He added, "First and foremost, I feel a strong sense of responsibility. I have been happily imagining how I can help the Heroes enter a new golden age together with the younger players," and smiled.

The negotiations for this contract were carried out in a truly sudden manner. According to Seo Geon-chang, the club proposed a multi-year contract to him on the evening of the 19th, and he stamped his approval in just one day. Seo confessed, "I heard the news suddenly. It was something I had never thought of, so I was honestly a bit surprised." However, he immediately nodded and said, "I well understand what the club expects from me as a player and as a senior."

Having gone through difficult times with LG Twins and KIA Tigers and worrying about his playing career every year, Seo Geon-chang found this contract to carry special meaning. He stated, "At this age and time, I have no choice but to think about each year one by one, so I always had to be careful. With this contract, I believe an environment has been created where I can focus more solely on baseball. I think we can all focus together on a single goal."

Coincidentally, since Seo Geon-chang joined the first division, the atmosphere at Kiwoom has completely revived. Although he joined late due to a fractured finger sustained during spring training, Kiwoom has been on an upward trend with six wins, one draw, and three losses since Seo was called up to the first division.

When asked by StarNews about the win-loss margin being positive, Seo Geon-chang waved his hand and said, "It seems to be purely a coincidence." He humbly added, "I just happened to join at the right timing during the team's good cycle." At the same time, he did not hide his overwhelming emotions, saying, "It is certainly a pleasant thing. I feel like I am waking up again, and I am reminded of many things from the past."

To revive the team currently stuck in the lower ranks, the leadership Seo Geon-chang has chosen is not "words" but "actions." He emphasized, "Rather than leading the younger players as a senior, I believe my own baseball still has enough competitiveness, so I want to show it directly through action. I will try to run as hard as the younger players, if not harder, and participate in as many games as possible." In the game against SSG on the 20th, he started as the leadoff hitter and second baseman, recording two hits and one hit-by-pitch in four at-bats, reaching base three times. Although the sample size is not large, Seo Geon-chang's batting average for the season stands at 0.317 (13 hits in 41 at-bats).

Finally, he promised victory to the Kiwoom fans who enthusiastically welcomed his return in the burgundy uniform. Seo Geon-chang said, "The reason professional players exist is because of the fans. The next reason is that we must win." He added, "It may not be easy, but I want to show many 'winning games' so that fans can truly enjoy the games when they come to the baseball stadium."

He also addressed the younger players, saying, "I hope all our players can feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from winning each game and how the team atmosphere changes. I, too, will inject a lot of positive energy from the dugout," and concluded the interview.

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*This content was translated by AI.