Sharjah close to securing Song signing

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  • Song Jin-hyung.

    Sharjah hope to imminently wrap up the recruitment of Jeju United centre midfielder Song Jin-hyung after being denied the chance to buy Al Jazira’s Park Jong-woo.

    The King have been searching all summer for a signing to fill the Asian-qualified spot in their four-player foreign quota as they aggressively attempt to avoid a third-successive brush with relegation from the Arabian Gulf League.

    This quest had centred on the Pride of Abu Dhabi star, but he is no longer on the market after a pursuit of Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal’s Salman Al Faraj was called off. They had also tried to recruit FC Seoul star Ju Se-jong, but were frustrated in their attempts to land the 25-year-old.

    Song, 29, would represent an excellent fallback option. The three-cap South Korea international has gained wide experience throughout a career which has seen him previously play for teams including Australia’s Newcastle Jets and France’s Tour FC.

    His ability to bolster the centre of the park will please coach Giorgos Donis, who bemoaned the lack of such a figure after his side began their top-flight commitments with a 2-1 loss at Al Shabab on Friday.

    He said: “We await the signing of the fourth foreigner. This is of great importance, especially as we need someone to control the midfield.”

    Sharjah have a recent history of successfully bringing in players from the Korean Peninsula. Defensive midfielder Kim Jung-woo exhibited the ability expected of a 71-cap Taeguk Warrior while on loan in 2013/14, going on to make the AGL’s team of the season.

    Song has scored 22 goals in 137 K League Classic appearances since he departed Australia for Jeju four years ago. The last of his trio of international caps was won in January 2014.

    If secured, the ex-FC Seoul star will join a large contingent of his countrymen in the UAE.

    Midfielder Lee Myung-joo has been a standout player for Al Ain since arriving two years ago, with utility man Kwon Kyung-won essential to Al Ahli’s success. Centre-backs Rim Chang-woo and Heo Jae-won both feature at Al Wahda and Dibba Al Fujairah.

    An impressive summer’s business for Sharjah has seen them acquire Poland playmaker Adrian Mierzejewski following his release from Al Nassr, prolific Al Ittihad striker Gelmin Rivas and Al Hilal centre-back Digao. Their only local addition was Al Nasr forward Jamal Maroof, who scored in the defeat at Shabab.

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