"Tripiers' accident, Hwang Hee-chan is the panda": Wolverhampton pursues 'cost-effective' signing to fill homegrown slots... Fulham and Lazio, who "want the bull," say "it's actually a good thing"

*This content was translated by AI.

Kieran Trippier (35), a former England national team defender, is set to leave Newcastle United and join Wolverhampton Wanderers. Hwang Hee-chan is receiving love calls from English Premier League (EPL) clubs.

The UK's BBC reported on the 29th (Korean time) that "Trippier has reached a verbal agreement to join Wolverhampton on a free agent (FA) basis" and "will sign a two-year contract with a one-year extension option, becoming the first signing of manager Rob Edwards this summer."

Trippier, whose contract expires this summer, is leaving Newcastle United after four and a half years. He made 160 career appearances for Newcastle, scoring four goals. Notably, he led the team to victory in the 2025 Carabao Cup, delivering the club's first trophy since 1955.

Previously, while playing for Tottenham, he reached the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final in 2019, and in the 2020-21 season, he won the Spanish La Liga with Atletico Madrid. He earned 54 caps for the England national team. After leaving his mark with a goal in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and starting in the Euro 2020 final, he retired from the national team in 2024.

The media explained that "Wolverhampton, which managed only three wins in the EPL last season and was relegated to the bottom, has embarked on a major team rebuild." It added that "the club's leadership, which failed to survive in the top flight for the first time in eight years, judged that the squad lacked experience and understanding of club culture."

Consequently, the club has made signing 'homegrown' players with rich experience its top priority.

Currently, Wolverhampton has no room to register non-homegrown players unless it releases existing squad members. The media reported that "striker Hwang Hee-chan, goalkeeper Jose Sa, and midfielder Ladislav Krejci are expected to leave the team. Meanwhile, Mateus Mane, who performed brilliantly last season, will remain with the club."

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan is receiving love calls from English Premier League (EPL) clubs Fulham and Brentford. It is reported that Wolverhampton has officially approved the sale of Hwang Hee-chan, a high-salary player, due to severe financial difficulties caused by relegation.

Hwang Hee-chan, approaching 30, has also firmly desired to stay in the top flight and has begun transfer negotiations. Fulham and Brentford have actively stepped forward, highly evaluating Hwang's vigorous activity and cost-effectiveness. Italian Serie A club Lazio and two German Bundesliga clubs have also joined the bidding. The transfer fee is expected to be around 13 million pounds (approximately 26 billion won), including options.

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*This content was translated by AI.