Ahn Jung-hwan Named Director of South Korea’s New ‘UNIV PRO’ University Football Initiative

South Korea’s university football scene is set for a major transformation as the Korea University Football Confederation (KUFC) has appointed national team legend Ahn Jung-hwan as the inaugural Director of ‘UNIV PRO’, a newly launched elite player development and branding system.

The KUFC, under chairman Park Han-dong, unveiled its plans to overhaul the university football framework with UNIV PRO, positioning the programme as a bridge between youth development and the professional game. Ahn will take the helm across all strategic, operational, branding, and promotional aspects of the project.

Ahn, who became a national icon for his exploits during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is expected to spearhead efforts to redefine university football as the final and most critical step in the player development pathway. The initiative aims to address long-standing gaps in the domestic football pyramid by aligning university teams with the professional structure overseen by the K League and the Korea Football Association (KFA).

Speaking on the appointment, KUFC Chairman Park said:
"There could be no better figure to lead this new chapter than Ahn Jung-hwan. During his time at Ajou University, he was at the centre of a university football boom. He later became a symbol of the K League’s golden era. His return to university football marks a significant turning point that we hope will breathe new life into the system."

UNIV PRO is scheduled to commence full operations in the second half of 2025. The programme will include the creation of permanent U-19 to U-22 university squads, international trial opportunities and competitions, and tailored support for professional contract pathways. The recent U-21 and U-22 trials held earlier this month marked a landmark moment, with the first ever selection of university-level age-group national squads now completed. Selected players will train and compete through the new UNIV PRO framework.

Ahn, now 48, expressed his motivation for taking on the role:
"I firmly believe that for Korean football to thrive, university football must thrive too. I gladly accepted the offer because I see the need and the potential. As someone who rose through the university ranks, moved abroad, and represented the country on the World Cup stage, I want to contribute my experience to building a sustainable development platform."

Ahn Jung-hwan: From World Cup Hero to UNIV PRO Director

Ahn Jung-hwan remains one of South Korea’s most beloved football figures. A gifted forward with flair and finesse, he scored one of the most iconic goals in Korean football history — a golden goal header against Italy in the Round of 16 during the 2002 World Cup, which sent the co-hosts into the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Born in 1976, Ahn began his senior career at Busan Daewoo Royals before embarking on an international journey that took him to Serie A side Perugia, Japan’s Shimizu S-Pulse and Yokohama F. Marinos, Bundesliga outfit MSV Duisburg, and Ligue 1 club FC Metz. He amassed over 70 caps for South Korea, netting 17 international goals and appearing in three World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010).

Since retiring, Ahn has become a household name in South Korea as a popular television personality, known for his roles in sports analysis and reality entertainment. Despite his success in broadcasting, he has consistently voiced his passion for contributing to Korean football’s future — a commitment now formalised through his new role at the KUFC.

UNIV PRO, under his stewardship, hopes to reshape how South Korea nurtures elite talent in the post-school age bracket, bridging the divide between academic football and the global professional stage.