Football Fans, Exciting News for Korean Football!
Young striker Oh Hyun-gyu from Belgian team Genk is on the verge of transferring to Fulham in the English Premier League (EPL). If this transfer is completed, Oh will become the 16th Korean player to join the Premier League. In a time when it has been challenging for Korean players to enter and succeed in major European leagues, Oh's transfer could be a pivotal moment, injecting new energy into Korean football beyond his personal success.
Despite being only 24, Oh has already proven his competitiveness in the K-League, Scottish Premiership, and Belgian Jupiler Pro League. His strengths include outstanding physicality, tenacity, and high work rate, which translate into active pressing and defensive contributions. His wide range of motion allows him to play as a single or double striker, holding his own in physical duels and managing games well thanks to his experience gathered from a young age. Particularly, his robust forward pressing starting from the front is the type of striker that modern football managers favor.
From Fulham's tactical perspective, Oh's inclusion is expected to offer diverse attacking options. Under Marco Silva, Fulham emphasizes fast-paced offensive development and organic movement, especially using flanks and central striker link-up plays. Oh's powerful physical presence and aerial abilities will help Fulham become more threatening in set-piece situations and aerial attacks. His aggressive pressing will relieve the team’s defensive burden during transitions and trouble the opposition defense effectively. Fulham currently stands 7th in the Premier League with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses), overachieving expectations, but expanding attacking options is identified as a crucial task for the remaining season.
The reason this transfer garners attention is precisely due to the hopeful news it brings amidst concerns of a 'Korean Player Extinction Crisis' in football. Over recent years, many Korean players have struggled to break into European stages or have returned home after failing to secure starting spots, raising fears about the discontinuation of the Korean players' presence in Europe. In this context, Oh's Premier League entry is viewed as an opportunity to inspire young Korean players and reassert the value of Korean talent in the European market.
Furthermore, this transfer holds personal significance for Oh as it offers redemption from the past consolation of the 'Stuttgart medical' incident. In summer 2025, his move to Bundesliga’s Stuttgart seemed imminent, even undergoing medical tests, but previous cruciate ligament injury concerns led to the deal falling through. There were also differences regarding the transfer fee perceived at the time, but issues from the medical test ultimately delayed his dream of entering a major league. However, he remained undeterred, shined at Genk by consistently showing scoring ability, and eventually caught the Premier League’s eye, receiving a call-up for an even larger stage. This is not just a successful transfer but a testament to his mentality and skill overcoming adversity.
Of course, the Premier League is known for its high level of competition, physical demands, and swift-paced games. For Oh to succeed, adapting to the league's tempo and displaying refined goal-scoring ability alongside tactical understanding will be crucial. Given his strong mental resilience and continuous development, we hope to see another phase of growth for him at Fulham.
Oh Hyun-gyu's move to Fulham is a significant event to mark a new page in the history of Korean players in European football. Following pioneers like Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, who ascended as the first Asian to win the EPL Golden Boot, we warmly support Oh as he aims to excel in the Premier League, opening a bright future for Korean football.
@OhHyunGyu @Fulham @PremierLeague @KoreanFootball