Ex-MVP Son Jun-ho returns to the K League after being released in China

This photo, provided by Suwon FC on Friday, shows the K League 1 club’s new midfielder Son Jun-ho. Yonhap

South Korea international and former MVP Son Jun-ho returns to the top flight K League 1, just over a year after he was detained by Chinese authorities over alleged bribery charges.

Suwon FC announced on Friday that it had acquired the 32-year-old midfielder. Financial terms were not disclosed. Son, regarded as a smart playmaker who can play on both sides, will join the squad for training immediately but will be formally registered next Thursday.

Son, who started playing for Chinese club Shandong Taishan in 2021, was taken into custody in China’s Liaoning province in May last year. China never officially confirmed his charges, but his detention was believed to be related to a bribery case.

Son came home in March. He then started playing for an amateur club as he prepared for his return to the K League 1.

Son previously played for Pohang Steelers from 2014 to 2017 and led the K League 1 with 14 assists in 2017. He then manned the midfield for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from 2018 to 2020. He was voted K League 1 MVP in 2020 after beating Jeonbuk helped in the victory. their fourth consecutive championship.

Internationally, Son was part of South Korea’s gold medal-winning team at the 2014 Asian Games and featured in three matches during South Korea’s run to the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Son was in talks with Jeonbuk for a reunion, but Suwon FC intervened earlier this week after Son’s negotiations with Jeonbuk fell through.

In Suwon, Son is reunited with former Jeonbuk teammates in Kwon Kyung-won and Lee Yong. Suwon FC sporting director Choi Soon-ho coached Son at Pohang.

“I am happy to play for Suwon FC. There are players with whom I have shared good memories from the past,” Son said. “I’m looking forward to the future with this club.”

Suwon FC are fifth in the table with 27 points after 16 matches, just four points behind number one Ulsan HD FC.

“He is one of the best midfielders and we will figure out how to best use him,” said Suwon FC head coach Kim Eun-jung. “I expect he will join other veterans on the team to provide some stability.” (Yonhap)