"Following in Hwang Hee-chan's footsteps!"... Kim Ji-hoo, a 'Daejeon homegrown' talent, signs with Salzburg: Captivated by his overwhelming abilities, including 188cm height and two-footed shooting

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Kim Ji-hoo (17), a promising player from the 'homegrown youth' system of Daejeon Hana Citizen in professional football's K League 1, is set to transfer to Austrian powerhouse Red Bull Salzburg.

Daejeon officially announced on the 12th that Kim Ji-hoo's transfer to Salzburg has been confirmed. The Salzburg side also stated through its official website that it has signed a long-term contract with Kim Ji-hoo and that he is scheduled to join the team in the summer of 2027.

Born in 2009, Kim Ji-hoo is a Daejeon youth product who progressed through all stages, starting from the Daejeon U-12 (under-12) team and moving on to the U-15 and U-18 teams (Chungnam Machinery High School). In April of this year, he signed a semi-professional contract with the club, having his potential recognized. This marks the fourth time a player has advanced to Europe since the Daejeon club was acquired by Hana Financial Group.

Kim Ji-hoo, a wing forward standing 188cm tall, boasts outstanding speed and acceleration as his strengths. He is evaluated for possessing powerful and accurate shooting ability using both feet with ease, as well as the capability to break down opposing defenses with concise dribbling and a quick tempo.

Salzburg, his new home, is a powerhouse boasting 17 total championships in the Austrian Bundesliga history and is known as the 'European military academy' for promising players from around the world. National team forward Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke), along with Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Sadio Mane, among others, passed through this club to grow into world-class players. Salzburg is currently in second place in the league with 30 points as of Round 12 of the 2026-2027 season.

Kim Ji-hoo shared his thoughts, stating, "Daejeon Hana Citizen was not just a team, but a precious foundation that allowed me to grow as a player," and added, "Carrying the unforgettable memories from Daejeon in my heart, I will strive to grow into an excellent player on a bigger stage to repay their support."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original