Hong Myung-Bo, 33 Years Old and New Challenge

Hong Myung-bo (33, Pohang Steelers), ‘Eternal Libero’, will play as a member of LA Galaxy Team of Major League Soccer (MLS), US Professional Soccer league.

La Galaxy and Pohang agreed for the transferring of Hong Myung-bo and announced the fact concurrently at 5th in Korea and USA. The transferring condition includes 2 years of term, transferring payment of 1 billion won, salary of 275 thousand dollars (330 million won) and incentive of 25 thousand dollars (270 million won).

So Hong Myung-bo who had participated in World Cup four consecutive times from Italian World Cup in 1990 becomes the first Korean player in US major league.

The decision to transfer Hong Myung-bo to LA Galaxy was the result of the agreement of transferring payment. Pohang demanded 1 billion won of transferring payment because of the breaching the agreement (agreement term to 2003), but LA galaxy proposed to pay 200 thousand dollars (240 million won). However, a Korean sponsor in US promised to pay the difference.

The play in US is the first gate for Hong Myung-bo to be a leader of world level. Hong Myung-bo has attended international meeting twice a year as a member of Player Committee of FIFA since 1998. The play in US is a good opportunity for him to secure his position in international soccer society. When he chose to play in US, he also considered the excellent sports marketing and management of players of US. He also has a plan to will fulfill leader`s quality as playing for the team.

Hong Myung-bo will have the last home game against Sungnam Ilwha at 17th for domestic professional game, and retiring game from national player against Brazil at 20th. He will o to US at 21st and signature on the agreement.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com