Jeonbuk re-sign Brazilian striker

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Thursday announced they have re-acquired former striker Eduardo Goncalves de Oliveira, better known as Edu, from the Chinese side Hebei China Fortune FC.

Jeonbuk said they wanted Edu because he is a proven striker in the top-tier K League Classic. The 34-year-old Brazilian, who also played with Suwon Samsung Bluewings from 2007 to 2009, has 41 goals and 18 assists in 115 K League matches.

"We needed a proven attacker who can help us win the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League and achieve a three-peat in the K League Classic," Jeonbuk said in a release. "Edu is a player who has power and exceptional skills in goal scoring."

Edu joined Jeonbuk in 2015 after his contract with FC Tokyo expired. He led the league in scoring in the first half of the season by netting 11 goals in 20 matches but left Jeonbuk in July for Hebei, apparently tempted by the Chinese club's lucrative deal.

Edu scored 12 goals in 15 matches for Hebei in the second half of the 2015 season and helped the club earn a promotion to the first-tier Chinese Super League. However, he reportedly wanted to play for teams in the AFC Champions League this season and negotiated with Jeonbuk, which are currently in the quarterfinals.

"Even when I was in China, I missed Jeonbuk fans' passion," Edu said through the club. "It was a big burden for me to leave Jeonbuk without winning the AFC Champions League. This year, I really want to end that unfinished business and that's why I chose Jeonbuk despite receiving other offers."

Jeonbuk, currently the league leaders with 12 wins and nine draws, said the addition of Edu will further upgrade their attack. The club already boasts formidable strikers like Lee Dong-gook, Kim Shin-wook and Lee Jong-ho.

Edu will also join his compatriots Leonardo and Ricardo Lopes. Jeonbuk's other Brazilian, Luiz Henrique, recently left for Gangwon FC, a second-tier club in South Korea.

Edu previously played for German Bundesliga clubs like Schalke 04 and Mainz. He also spent a season with the Turkish outfit Besiktas.

kdon@yna.co.kr
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