South Korea International Kwon Kyung-won Rejects European Club to Join FC Anyang on Lengthy Deal

South Korea international defender Kwon Kyung-won has sealed a surprise move to FC Anyang, bringing an end to his overseas journey and marking a significant return to K League as he eyes a second World Cup appearance.

Multiple sources in Korean football confirmed on Wednesday that Kwon is set to join Anyang on a two-and-a-half-year contract, having recently parted ways with Khorfakkan Club of the United Arab Emirates. The 33-year-old was a free agent and attracted interest from several domestic and overseas sides, including a European club preparing for the UEFA Europa Conference League, as well as Daejeon Hana Citizen. However, it was Anyang’s earnest appeal and the club’s urgent need to bolster their survival campaign that ultimately swayed the veteran defender.

The move represents Anyang’s most significant domestic signing to date, reportedly making Kwon the highest-paid Korean player in the club’s history. He is expected to arrive in South Korea on 28 June to formally link up with his new side.

Having begun his career at Jeonbuk Hyundai’s youth setup, Kwon first made headlines in 2015 when he joined Al Ahli in the UAE as a promising 23-year-old. His performances quickly established him as one of the top defenders in the Middle East. A stint in China with Tianjin Quanjian followed, before the club’s eventual dissolution saw him return to Korea, featuring for Jeonbuk again (on loan), Sangmu during military service, Seongnam FC, and later moving abroad once more to Gamba Osaka and Suwon FC, prior to his time with Khorfakkan.

Kwon now joins his fifth K League side (including his spell at Sangmu), at a pivotal time for newly-promoted Anyang. Competing in the K League 1 for the first time in club history, Anyang currently sit 9th with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats. Though the team has shown promise, the threat of relegation looms large given that 10th place and below are considered the danger zone.

Tactically, Kwon’s integration into the squad will require adjustments. Anyang currently rely on Dutch centre-back Thomas to operate on the left of a back three. With Kwon – a left-footed centre-half regularly utilised in that same position for the national team – a reshuffle is anticipated as manager Lee Woo-hyung looks to accommodate both.

Kwon remains a trusted figure within the national team setup. A consistent pick under former head coach Paulo Bento, he featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has been regularly recalled since last year. Most notably, he started alongside Cho Yu-min in recent friendlies when Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae was sidelined through injury. Kwon is widely regarded as the third-choice centre-back in the current pecking order.

With just over a year remaining until the 2026 World Cup in North America, regular game time in the K League could solidify Kwon’s place in the final squad. Despite entering the twilight of his career, the 33-year-old's decision to return home appears to be both a strategic and emotional one – aimed at sustaining form, fitness and international ambitions.

For FC Anyang, this is more than just a signing. It’s a statement of intent, delivered through their most lucrative domestic contract to date.