(LEAD) S. Korean midfielder Kim Bo-kyung set to join Japan's Kashiwa Reysol

All News 15:11 June 21, 2017

(ATTN: ADDS comments, info in paras 4-6)

SEOUL, June 21 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Kim Bo-kyung is set to join Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol, his South Korean football club said Wednesday.

Jeonbuk said they've received an offer from Kashiwa, and both sides are currently closing the deal on the 27-year-old's transfer.

If completed, Kim will leave the K League Classic club after playing one-and-a-half seasons. He was pivotal in Jeonbuk's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League title run last year, playing all 13 matches at the continental club football tournament.

"Kim wants to play in Japan, and both teams agreed on contract terms," said Baek Seung-kwon, Jeonbuk's general manager. "Kim has been our core player, and we are currently searching for a player who can replace him."

Jeonbuk have been linked with Yanbian Funde midfielder Yoon Bitgaram, who is looking to come back to South Korea before starting his mandatory military service. To apply for the military football club Sangju Sangmu, a player must be registered with a local club for at least six months.

Kim, whose contract with Jeonbuk ends this year, is familiar with the Japanese football league. He made his pro debut with Cerezo Osaka in 2010 before moving to Britain to play with Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic. After three-year stints in English pro football leagues, he returned to Japan after signing with Matsumoto Yamaga.

Kim is a member of the bronze medal-winning South Korean team at the 2012 London Olympics. For the senior side, he has four goals in 35 international appearances.

Kashiwa are currently the leaders in the first division J1 League with 10 wins, one draw and four losses. The 2011 Japanese league champions also have South Korean left back Yun Suk-young on their squad. The former Queens Park Rangers man previously played with Kim on the South Korean Olympic football team and the senior squad.