Winter Survival (5)
Hong In-soo transfer to Alcorcon confirmed. Transfer fee 1.5M euros + 30% sell-on clause.
Alcorcon originally had no money but earned 1M euros from selling Gustavo Hossa. Hossa's buyer is Seoul.
Originally Jeonbuk approached first, but then Ulsan and Seoul got into a bidding war. Price skyrocketed from 500k euros to double at 1M euros due to the three-team competition.
Player's move to Korea was persuaded by his close friend Naudu, the Brazilian mercenary who played for Incheon.
Hossa set to get double his previous salary. Seoul has huge expectations for the player who shone in La Liga 2 last season.
Both players prepping to head out for medicals. Official announcement expected soon. They'll join once the transfer window opens on Jan 1.
Source: Neighboring Bulletproof NewCity nim
Two days before the home game against SD Ponferradina in round 19, Hong In-soo flew into Madrid. The moment he arrived, instead of heading straight to the AD Alcorcon offices, he went directly to a hospital in Madrid for his medical test.
After checking his texts, I headed to training for the match in two days. And right as training wrapped up and I was heading back, Hong In-soo timed it perfectly with another message.
I could clearly picture Hong In-soo's face, buzzing with excitement. The guy had been dying for a shot at Europe, so he was probably walking on clouds right now.
“In-soo, what do you think of this guy?”
“He played for the national team too, right? Good?”
“He can't speak Spanish as well as you, huh?”
The teammates were showing massive interest in the incoming Hong In-soo. As the replacement for Maurinho, whose season was now definitively over, it was only natural all eyes would be on him.
On the flip side, Oscar Santos didn't look too thrilled. With a new rival popping up out of nowhere, and him not having shown much yet... this probably wasn't the most welcome news.
After training, I gave Hong In-soo a call. Sure enough, his voice was flushed with hype.
"Hyung! Training done?"
“Yeah. Where you at?”
"At the club offices rn. Still got some stuff to do apparently."
“Gonna take long?”
"Hmm... yeah a bit. Just got here."
I'd planned to introduce him to the teammates, but it sounded like it'd take a while.
“I'll wait, call me when you're done.”
"Making you wait?"
“Yeah, just chilling.”
"Don't, come hang at the office."
“Nah man, you're busy there too.”
"Yeah... true. Haha."
“Call when done. I'll buy dinner.”
"Ooooh! Yes sir! Calling right away, hyung!"
The teammates seemed eager to meet him too, but hearing it'd take time, they headed home with some regrets. Plenty of days ahead to say hi and play together anyway.
While killing time in the dressing room with an ice bath and texting Yuko, suddenly—
“Hyung!”
I'd asked for a call, but Hong In-soo just barged into the empty dressing room.
“All done?”
“Yeah. Everything's wrapped. Oh, got schedule tomorrow too. Some photoshoot. Official for Gustavo Hossa—that player's—comes first.”
Hong In-soo scanned the empty dressing room, then grinned wide at me.
“Oh yeah! Jersey number's set too.”
“Already? Nice.”
“Yeah. Don't freak out.”
“What, number 7?”
“...Way too spot on, hyung.”
I'd half-guessed it might be 7 since Gustavo Hossa had it, and the spot was open. But 7's the ace number, so maybe not for a mid-season newbie. Guess they really gave it to him.
“That's a heavy one, huh?”
Hong In-soo grinned back. “Love it actually. I thrive on that pressure.”
His words made me chuckle involuntarily. Probably why I like the guy—we're cut from similar cloth.
Slinging my Boston bag over my shoulder, I said, “Let's go. Dinner time.”
I was reminded anew over dinner with Hong In-soo just how crucial a good agent is.
“So... your agent orchestrated Gustavo's transfer?”
“Yeah. I was dying to come to Alcorcon, so he bridged it with Jeonbuk. They were already scouting Hossa anyway.”
Busan FC couldn't match AD Alcorcon's demands, so his agent helped sell Hossa to fund it.
“But why Alcorcon? Only offer from Europe?”
Hong In-soo, mid-chew on a huge steak chunk, shook his head vigorously, swallowed loud, then spoke.
“Actually, four or five offers from Europe.”
“All 2nd division?”
“Nah, some 1st div too. Greek club was top flight.”
“So just love Spanish soccer that much?”
I knew it wasn't about me. La Liga 2 rules limit non-EU players to two on the matchday squad—three in La Liga. Dual nationals fine, but neither I nor Zambian Pierre Mvubu have EU passports. Roster max three—five in La Liga—but with me here, his minutes would've tanked.
This winter move only possible 'cause my exit is basically locked in. Teammates, staff, board—all prepping quietly for the farewell.
...Me too.
“Kinda... but environment mattered too.”
“Environment?”
“Yeah. Other clubs' home bases were worse than Madrid. Here ain't the safest... but near Spain's capital, y'know?”
Alcorcon's no hellhole. Close to Madrid center too—lots of players live there like me.
“House sorted yet?”
“Nah. You said you'd hook me up with a realtor?”
“Yeah. Uncle Adrian's big bro—famous Madrid real estate guy. Loaded. Mansions and all.”
“Damn, hyung. Connections on point.”
Wasn't bragging, but it came off that way.
“Or crash at mine. Rent's steep tho.”
“How much?”
“3k euros. Like 4 mil won.”
“Eeeeeek! Way too pricey?”
Hong In-soo stared in shock.
“Hyung... you must be on big wages.”
“Invest heavy in living spot. Location matters.”
“True... but 4 mil a month...”
He didn't spill exact figures, but said wages jump big on La Liga promotion. Good agent means no lowball now either.
“Hyung... you're leaving for real, right?”
Hong In-soo sliced his last steak bit regretfully.
“...Probably.”
I kept it vague. No update from Borja Navas on those three PL clubs yet—no meat to the story. Even if I knew, it's confidential.
“If you're going, make it a real big club.”
“Will do.”
“I'll follow like this time.”
He grinned, popping the last bite. Watching him chew, I smiled back instead of answering.
Nothing set in stone yet... but the transfer felt close.
A massive TV on the wall blared AD Alcorcon's live match broadcast. Speakers muted, though—for good reason.
"Ha! Buyout clause?"
A scoff came through the receiver, followed by incredulous tone.
"Listen, Borja. Ever seen us bring in a player with a buyout? Never. You know why better than me."
“But situation's different now.”
"Situation? What situation?"
“Snagging this monster striker for just 1.5M euros? No history of that cheap for talent like this. Am I wrong?”
"Gotta see it play out. How can you be so sure?"
“He's my client. I trust my eyes. Guess you're not as confident.”
"I believe he'll deliver. Theo's got that born scorer instinct, and we need it now."
“To reach Champions League.”
"...Damn it. Yeah."
Borja Navas, arms crossed casually, glanced at the TV mid-call. Score was 2-0 moments ago—now 3-0. On screen, Cha Tae-oh roared in celebration, sprinting to the corner flag.
"Other terms fine. Military issue, so no call-up refusal—we invest big, as you know. Spent heavy in summer, winter's tight tho."
“Simple then. Accept the buyout.”
"Even if it means higher wages, no buyout. Wait... you pushing for more pay?"
“No way. You know my style. I make my clients' wishes reality—that's priority one.”
"...Thought he was just a soccer whiz. Sly fox, that Theo."
“I'll take that as praise and pass it on.”
"Praise my ass."
Borja spun his fancy fountain pen.
“Better decide quick. Hesitate, and if another accepts, they'll negotiate contracts. Late buyout agreement? Won't snag Theo without a better offer.”
Moments later, a firm voice from the receiver.
"Still, no buyout. Ever. Club pride on the line. Can't stomach being a stepping stone. Tsk tsk."
Borja clicked his tongue dismissively.
“Got it. Forget we talked.”
Beep—! Call ended irritably.
Borja slammed the pen down, sighing low.
“Sigh... Knew it'd go like this.”
He picked it up again, crossing out a club name on his notepad. Third one this time.
Chelsea.
Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United.
The PL clubs Cha Tae-oh wanted.