Hwang Ui-jo joins the Girondins

The Girondins de Bordeaux are thrilled to confirm the arrival of Hwang Ui-Jo. The striker has signed a four year deal (until June 2023), having already completed his medical and signed all of the necessary paperwork. Hwang Ui-jo (Hwang is his family name, and is written first as per Korean tradition) was born on 28 August 1992 in Seongnam (South Korea). The striker first rose to prominence with his university team, before turning professional with Seongnam FC. Seongnam is, of course, the most successful team in Korean league history, winner of seven titles and two Asian Champions League trophies. Ui-jo turned pro in 2013. In his first two professional seasons he racked up 46 matches in the K League, scoring 6 goals. He also won his first silverware, winning the South Korea Cup and the Asian Games in 2014. 2015 proved to be a crucial breakthrough year for Hwang Ui-jo. A brilliant season in the league saw him score 15 goals in 34 matches to become second top scorer in the K League. He also performed well in the Asian Champions League, with 3 goals in 8 matches. He also made his international debut, the start of a career which has so far seen him earn 27 caps and score 8 goals. While Hwang Ui-jo continued to go from strength to strength, Seongnam FC was enduring a tough spell. After losing the play-off, the club was relegated to the second division. Ui-jo started the season in D2, but soon decided to take his career in a new direction: Japan, with Gamba Osaka. He settled in rapidly and soon became a firm favourite with Osaka fans, scoring 16 goals in 27 matches, becoming third top scorer in Japan in 2018 and winning the 'Year's Top Footballer' accolade from the Korean Football Federation. As an out and out striker, Hwang Ui-jo loves creating and exploiting spaces in the opposition defence. Strong in the box and blessed with a powerful shot, he joins Bordeaux with the ambition to reach new heights in his career. He could shortly become the first South Korean player to play for the Girondins professionally. We wish him all the best in this new adventure, and we can't wait to see him in action! Bienvenue à Bordeaux Hwang Ui-jo