'5-Year Bold Contract' Another Korean Attacker in Europe Emerges, 'Star Award Winner' Park Si-hoo on the Brink of Move to Portugal's Top Division

*This content was translated by AI.

The transfer of 19-year-old striker Park Si-hoo, who plays for Chungnam Asan in K League 2, to Portugal's top-flight club FC Arouca is nearing completion.

Portuguese media outlet Record reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that "Arouca club is set to sign a five-year contract with Park Si-hoo, a promising Korean winger aged 18," and added that "Park Si-hoo is scheduled to arrive in Portugal on Thursday."

The media stated, "Park Si-hoo, a native of Korea Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO), is set to sign a five-year contract with Arouca until June 2031," and added that "the transfer fee Arouca is expected to pay to Chungnam Asan for acquiring Park Si-hoo is reported to be around 500,000 euros (approximately 900 million won)."

Park Si-hoo joined Chungnam Asan last July as the club's first semi-professional player, a major prospect. After joining the team midway through the season, he scored consecutive goals in two K League 2 matches, showcasing his abilities. This season, he recorded one goal in nine games, bringing his total K League 2 career stats to 18 games and three goals.

Thanks to such performances, Park Si-hoo was honored with the Football Star Award at the 2025 Futures Star Awards held in November last year. At the time, the selection committee praised Park Si-hoo for his effective use of speed to break through defenses, his shooting from the flanks, and his linking play.

Lee Jong-min, then a scout for Daejeon Hana Citizen (now Technical Director), highly praised him, stating, "His ability to utilize speed is his greatest strength. He excels in breaking through defenses and LINE breaking. Beyond finishing and linking play, his ability to link crosses after breaking through on the flanks makes him a difficult player for defenders to mark. His high contribution to the team, including defensive involvement, gives him high tactical value."

Especially noteworthy is that Arouca club is guaranteeing a five-year contract for Park Si-hoo, who is only 19 years old and has limited experience since his professional debut. Record noted, "Considering his age and experience, acquiring Park Si-hoo is strongly characterized as an investment in the future," but added, "However, the club expects Park Si-hoo to secure his position in the team by earning the trust of head coach Vasco Seabra in the medium to long term."

FC Arouca, Park Si-hoo's new club, is a Portugal top-flight team founded in 1951. It is also the current club of Lee Hyun-ju (23), who was a Pohang Steelers youth player and made headlines after transferring to Bayern Munich. In the 2025-2026 season, the team finished 8th out of 18 teams in Portugal's top division with a record of 12 wins, 6 draws, and 16 losses (42 points).

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

*This content was translated by AI.