Ahn Jung-Hwan to `J-League’

‘The Lord of the Rings’ Ahn Jung-Hwan (26) attempts to advance to Big League of Europe through J-League of Japan.

An agent of Ahn Jung-Hwan, Eplayers had a press conference in Lotte Hotel Seoul on September 2, and announced to make the Sponsor Agreement which pays certain amounts to Perugia and Busan Icons, with Professional Management(PM), the Japanese management firm.

Ahn Jung-Hwan will be set free as soon as a settlement among PM, Perugia and Busan Icons is finished. He will play in one team of J-League as a leased player for 4 months because the player registration of the Europe league is getting finished. Then, he will attempt to advance to the Europe league in the early months of next year again.

According to the Sponsor Agreement, PM will pay aboutn 1.2 million dollar (total amounts of 2.4~2.5 million dollar, approx. 1.44 billion won) to Perugia and Busan Icons respectively. Instead, PM will make three times advertisements for 1 year and will have the advertisement costs, rental fees and coverage for Ahn Jung-Hwan(if he advances to the European team).

Ahn Jong-Bok, the president of E-players said “We attempted the advance of Ahn Jung-Hwan to Blackburn of Premier League, England. However, we failed the attempt because he didn’t get ‘Work Permit’. To find a way out of critical situations for Ahn Jung-Hwan who is in an ownership dispute between Perugia and Busan, we have found the sponsor who can pay the certain amounts to both teams instead.”

Besides, Ahn Jung-Hwan said “I have the chance to challenge again. I think it is not bad. I will show off my ability to Japanese fans. Then, I want to advance to the desired league.”

stt77@donga.com