[Official] 'Reunion with Coach Shin Tae-yong' Kwon Chang-hoon makes first-ever move to Indonesia: "This will be a new chapter in my life"

*This content was translated by AI.

South Korean national team striker Kwon Chang-hoon (32) is embarking on a new challenge at a prestigious Indonesian club—the same team recently taken over by coach Shin Tae-yong last month.

Persija Jakarta (Indonesia) announced on the 17th (Korean time) via its official website that it has "unexpectedly signed South Korean national team striker Kwon Chang-hoon to strengthen the team's attacking power."

Through the club, Kwon Chang-hoon stated, "I chose Persija because I wanted a new challenge. Although I have gained diverse experiences in various countries, starting here will be a new chapter in my life," sharing his thoughts on the transfer.

Regarding Coach Shin Tae-yong's influence at Persija, he explained, "During my playing days in Korea, I closely followed the achievements Coach Shin Tae-yong made in Indonesia. Seeing the remarkable progress of Indonesian football recently left me with a positive impression, which became the decisive factor in my decision to join Jakarta."

Finally, he added his determination: "As I join a prestigious club that enjoys strong fan support, I will pour everything onto the field so that the team can achieve the best results in 2026–2027."

According to the club, Kwon Chang-hoon's contract spans two years. Persija expressed its expectations, stating, "Kwon Chang-hoon is expected to serve as a key attacking resource for the team starting from 2026–2027."

Additionally, the club noted, "Left-footed striker Kwon Chang-hoon is a versatile player capable of playing across all areas of the second line—from right-sided attacker to left-sided attacker and attacking midfielder. His exceptional tactical flexibility will greatly assist the coaching staff in devising various tactical options."

Kwon Chang-hoon began his professional career at Suwon Samsung in the K League, where he delivered outstanding performances that paved the way for his move to Europe.

He later played in major European leagues, including Dijon in France's Ligue 1 and SC Freiburg in Germany's Bundesliga. After returning to Korea, he gained experience with Kim Cheon (SVP), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Jeju SK.

Notably, Kwon Chang-hoon earned 43 caps for the South Korean national team, scoring 12 goals, and also participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Across club and international matches combined, he has made over 340 appearances and scored more than 50 goals. In 2015 and 2016, he was honored with selection to the K League 1 Best XI for two consecutive years.

Mohammad Prapancha, chairman of Persija Jakarta, stated through the club: "Kwon Chang-hoon is a player with solid experience from top-tier European competitions and international tournaments. He will bring creativity and diversity to our team's attack and play a decisive role in achieving the results we aim for this season."

He continued, "I hope Kwon Chang-hoon adapts quickly to the Indonesian league and football culture. In particular, I believe Coach Shin Tae-yong's presence will have a positive impact on his rapid local adaptation and performance on the field."

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

*This content was translated by AI.