A summer transfer deal in the K League has been thrown into chaos after Cheon Seong-hoon, a former Bundesliga-based forward, was revealed to be under police investigation for serious sexual assault allegations. The fallout has not only stalled the player’s move but also placed Daejeon Hana Citizen FC at the centre of a storm over transparency and governance.

Cheon, 25, had been set for a straight swap with FC Seoul’s full-back Kim Jin-ya as part of a 1-for-1 trade deal between the two clubs. The agreement was nearly completed, with only medical checks remaining. However, on 20 June, just days before final confirmation, news broke that Cheon was under criminal investigation for alleged sexual misconduct, including charges of illegal filming under South Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

While the deal was immediately halted, Daejeon proceeded to finalise Kim Jin-ya’s arrival, despite the unresolved status of Cheon’s case. Seoul, having already seen Kim bid farewell to teammates, reluctantly allowed the move to go through — though Cheon’s path in the opposite direction remains in limbo.

Daejeon Knew — But Said Nothing

The controversy escalated further when it emerged that Daejeon were aware of the allegations prior to the attempted transfer. Reports indicate that a complaint against Cheon was filed in April with Seoul’s Gangnam Police, and the player was formally questioned on 23 May. According to multiple sources, Daejeon officials were aware of the investigation, yet failed to inform the K League or their trading partners at FC Seoul.

When asked, Daejeon manager Hwang Sun-hong admitted before their away match against Gwangju FC on 22 June:

“It happened a long time ago. We didn’t think it would be a problem. That’s what the player told us. I didn’t take it seriously.”

The reaction has prompted widespread criticism of Daejeon for what is being viewed as a failure in ethical and professional responsibility. Critics argue that withholding information about a criminal investigation — while disclosing only a minor ankle injury to Seoul — amounts to deception.

From Germany to Controversy

Cheon Seong-hoon is a striker who once showed considerable promise abroad. After playing university football in South Korea, he signed for FC Augsburg in 2020, making occasional appearances for their second team while also being loaned out to Austrian Bundesliga side FC Liefering (a feeder club for Red Bull Salzburg), and Austrian second-tier outfit FC Dornbirn.

He returned to Korea in 2023 to join Daejeon Hana Citizen, where he played in the K League 1 as a squad forward. Cheon has scored 4 goals in 34 league appearances since his return and was seen as a useful attacking option in a team chasing top-three ambitions this season.

However, the off-field issues now threaten not only his transfer prospects but potentially his entire playing career in South Korea — depending on the outcome of the legal process.

A Broken Deal, A Damaged Reputation

In response to the allegations, Cheon has strongly denied all charges and has filed a counter-suit accusing the complainant of defamation, attempted blackmail, stalking, and false accusation. While the case plays out, FC Seoul have paused all action on the transfer, stating they will wait for the legal outcome before determining whether to pursue a trade or abandon the deal entirely.

For Daejeon, the incident represents more than just a failed transaction. Their failure to disclose key information to both the league and their trading partner has cast a shadow over the club’s conduct and decision-making.

In the meantime, Kim Jin-ya — who was unknowingly swept into the storm — made his Daejeon debut just two days after the controversy broke, starting at left-back in the 2-2 draw against Gwangju before being substituted in the second half.

Daejeon have now drawn three straight matches and slipped further behind leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai in the table. But more than their title push, it’s the questions over integrity and accountability that now dominate headlines.

As the K League grapples with the fallout, the Cheon Seong-hoon saga may serve as a critical case study — not just of a deal gone wrong, but of how professional football handles off-field allegations in the modern era.