As Daejeon Hana Citizen aims for AFC Champions League qualification in 2024, the team has successfully bolstered its squad during the transfer window. Notable additions such as Kim Seung-dae, Lee Soon-min, Aaron Calver, and Hong Jong-un raise questions about their roles within the team.
Kim Seung-dae, known as a versatile “linebreaker,” is anticipated to fill the void left by Masatoshi Ishida. Capable of playing across the front or as an attacking midfielder, Kim brings qualities similar to Ishida and adds experience to a squad that showed moments of naivety and lacked character strength last season. In Lee Min-sung’s 3-5-2 formation, Kim might operate from central midfield with the freedom to push forward or even assume the role of a second striker behind Vladislavs Gustovskis. With over 250 matches in the K League, Kim is closing in on the 50-50 club, boasting nearly 50 goals and assists.
Hong Jong-un is set to compete for the vacant center-back position left by Kim Min-duk, who departed for military service. Previously a central defender in a three-man defense under Choi Won-kwon, Hong occasionally played as the right-sided center-back in a back four. This potential shift could impact Cho Yu-min, typically positioned centrally in a three-man defense. Daejeon’s defensive lineup, which conceded the second-most goals last season, now faces increased competition with the presence of Kim Hyeon-woo and Lim Dug-keun. Hong, with nearly 200 appearances for Daegu and experience in the AFC Champions League, adds depth to the defensive options.
Australian center-back Aaron Calver, acquired from Gwangju FC, brings his expertise to Daejeon. Having made 19 appearances, including 11 starts, for Gwangju last season, Calver played a pivotal role in their 2022 K League title triumph, contributing three goals and one assist. Competing with Hong Jong-un for the right-sided center-back spot in Lee Min-sung’s formation, Calver is likely seeking a more substantial role after feeling underutilized in South Jeolla. His move to Daejeon signals his ambition for a more prominent position within the team.
