Wolverhampton announced the renewal on its official website on Tuesday (Korea time), saying, “I will be accompanied by Hwang Hee-chan until 2028. An additional one-year option is included.” The contract was originally signed until the summer of 2026.
Hwang Hee-chan, who transferred to Wolverhampton on loan in August 2021 during his time in Leipzig, Germany, was fully transferred early the following year due to his better-than-expected performance.
Hwang Hee-chan’s career at Wolverhampton was on the upswing despite his muscle injury. He is also enjoying his prime time by shooting “career high” this season.
He has nine goals and two assists in 19 official matches during the 2023-2024 season. He has eight goals and two assists in EPL alone.
Hwang Hee-chan is the top scorer at Wolverhampton this season after playing 17 matches in the league. He has four more goals than Cunha (five goals), who is ranking second in the league. He is also ranking seventh alone in the EPL scoring list. He is just two goals shy of third-ranked Son Heung-min (10 goals).
Hwang Hee-chan, who chose to accompany Wolverhampton, said, “I am happy to stay in Wolverhampton longer. I want to say thank you to my teammates, staff, family and fans. I am so happy. I am enjoying life and soccer here. I am ready to give everything from now on.”
“The nine goals (that I scored this season) of course make me happy. However, I want to express my gratitude to my teammates, the coaching staff, and my family members first. It is something that I can never do alone. I also learned a lot from the coaching staff. That is why I want to play for the team. I will do my best to be a player who can help the team,” he said.
In addition, he added, “I will not be satisfied with the new contract. Sometimes, I talk with my players about ‘big ambitions’. I feel a responsibility to bring more wins. I am ready to fight for my team.” 바카라사이트
It is certain that the renewal of the contract will motivate Hwang Hee-chan. “I don’t want to stop there. I want to rise to the highest level possible,” he said.
They are more than “team members.” Hwang said, “They are good friends and brothers. We play on the field for each other. I help my teammates and they help me. It makes us stronger. If we can, I would like to introduce more Korean culture. Players welcome this, too.”
Looking back on the time he had spent at Wolverhampton, he said, “I had a good start after the transfer. I also scored a lot of points. However, I also had a hard time getting injured. However, I always tried to enjoy playing in the Premier League as my dream was to play,” adding, “Language is also an important part for me as a foreign player. I’m learning well, but I’m still not good enough. I’m trying my best in everything, however. I need to speak better English to spend more time with my team members. I need to at least communicate well with my fans.”
Finally, he said, “I’m really excited. I’m so excited. I’m going to play for my team, my fans, my family. I’m going to keep going.”
With this renewal, Hwang Hee-chan will be able to prepare for the Asian Cup, which will open on January 13 next year and end in mid-February.
At the upcoming Asian Cup, Korea will hunt for its first championship in 64 years since the second event in 1960. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann will announce the final entry on the 28th.
Hwang Hee-chan, who has been consistently called up to the national team and is playing top-notch in his team, is likely to be included in the Asian Cup list.
The Klinsman will depart for Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 2nd of next month, continue training for about a week, and then enter Qatar, the site of the showdown, on the 10th.
Twenty-four countries will participate in the Asian Cup, which will be divided into six groups for the group stage. The 12 teams ranking first and second in each group will advance to the round of 16. The top four teams ranking third in the group will also win a ticket to the round of 16.
South Korea will play its first Group E match against Bahrain on Jan. 15 next year at the Jasim bin Hamad Stadium. The team will then face Jordan on Jan. 20 at the Altumama Stadium, and face Malaysia under coach Kim Pan-gon at the Al-Zanup Stadium on Jan. 25.
If South Korea tops Group E, its opponent in the round of 16 is second in Group D. It is one of Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, and Vietnam. If they finish second in the group, they will face the first place in Group F, which includes Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Oman.
Meanwhile, when announcing his renewal of the contract with Hwang Hee-chan, Wolverhampton said, “The South Korean national team member Hwang Hee-chan first wore the Wolverhampton jersey on loan in 2021. And now he has nine goals (for all games) before Christmas under coach Gary O’Neill. He is enjoying the best season ever.”
“After scoring his debut goal against Watford (Wolverhampton) two years ago, Hwang has been demonstrating his ruthlessness in front of goal. Only five players have scored more goals in the EPL than Hwang in this season. He has been playing well with Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha in his team.”
His praise for Hwang continued. “His equalizer was brilliant against ‘defending champion’ Manchester City and Newcastle. He also scored six consecutive goals at home, matching John Richards. He is also the first player to score six goals in 10 matches since the opening of the season 50 years ago,” Wolverhampton said.
Wolverhampton Sports Director Matt Hobbs said, “Hwang gave everything for the club. Fans are also grateful that he plays an important role under O’Neill. He is well worthwhile both on and off the field.”