DF Lee Ye-chan of Yeongdeungpo Technical High School, Portimonense of Portugal 'shocked transfer'
An official familiar with the European transfer market told Sports Chosun on the 25th, "Lee Ye-chan will move to Portimonense of the Portuguese Primera Liga (first division). Lee Ye-chan said, "We are currently moving to Portugal, and we will conduct a medical test and sign." When the final announcement is made, Lee will become the 10th Korean player to play in Portugal.
It is a rare entry into Europe for "active high school students." Of course, it is not that there have been no cases in the past. Son Heung-min (Tottenham) signed a contract with Hamburg, Germany while attending Northeast High School, and Nam Tae-hee (Yokohama) also succeeded in entering Europe through Balancien, France, when he was a student at Hyundai High School. Son Heung-min, Nam Tae-hee, and others transferred to Europe through a project led by the Korea Football Association at the time and signed a contract in recognition of their ability. In other words, we reached out first.
This praise is different. While attending high school in Korea, he was recognized for his talent and succeeded in entering Europe. Portimonense's scout came directly to Korea to observe Korea's young talent and checked the amateur stage, and reportedly fell in love with Lee Ye-chan's play that stood out in the process. Portimonense recently inspected Lee Ye-chan by watching the 56th Presidential Gold Cup held in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. Lee Ye-chan won the tournament with a breakthrough performance.
It is noteworthy that it is a first-team contract. Although he is a high school student, he has decided to sign a first-tier contract, not a youth team or a B team contract. The immediate classification as a sense of power meant that Portimonense highly valued Lee Ye-chan's skills.
Lee Ye-chan was a pearl in the soil. There was no experience in representing each age group. Lee Ye-chan grew remarkably after going to Yeongdeungpo Technical High School in Xinjiang. Lee Ye-chan is considered a next-generation defender with skills as well as strength and speed. Lee Ye-chan, who has interpersonal defense and defensive coordination skills, has excellent build-up skills, especially in modern football. He is not tall for a central defense at 1m84, but he is not pushed back from the height with excellent jumping skills and senses. K-League clubs courted Lee Ye-chan, but Lee Ye-chan chose to go to Europe, which he had long dreamed of.
Portimonense has recently been interested in Korean football. In February 2021, Lee Seung-woo, who was not able to get a chance at Sintrawidan at the time, formed a relationship for the first time. Lee Seung-woo played only four games at the time. Until recently, "national defender" Park Ji-soo played. Park Ji-soo, who was recruited in January 2023, moved to Wuhan Sanjeon in the Chinese Super League after playing as a main player for six months. Currently, 20-year-old striker Kim Yong-hak is playing. Kim Yong-hak, who played as an ace for the U-20 national team, is also a promising player who pays attention to Portimonense. Recently, he made a complete transfer. Portimonense, who had fun with Japanese players such as Shoya Nakajima, Shuichi Konda, and Goki Anzai, seems to be turning to Korean players. Portimonense is also reportedly interested in recruiting other Korean prospects.
As Lee Ye-chan has not graduated yet, he will travel between Portugal and Korea this season. Portimonense, who managed to stay in 15th place last season, dropped to the bottom, conceding nine goals in two early games this season. He is going back and forth between three-back and four-back around Philippe Heubas, but it is true that he is anxious. If Paulo Sergiu reorganizes his defense, Lee Ye-chan may have a chance.