Daejeon Hana Citizen's 2026 winter recruits and where they might fit in

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K League United

·11 January 2026

Daejeon Hana Citizen's 2026 winter recruits and where they might fit in

Daejeon Hana Citizen have taken a quality over quantity approach to the 2026 winter transfer window, but with a bloated squad, where do the new arrivals fit in?

The Purples' transfer business is said to be 'done.' The club had looked at top-class number 10 type, holding talks with Jeju SK's Nam Tae-hee and ex-Pohang starlet Goh Young-jun, but ultimately decided to go with what they have in that department.

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There was also talk of another centre back, but with Ha Chang-rae's loan deal from Nagoya Grampus made permanent, Daejeon, who've become known for their 'whirlwind' transfer business each window, have shown some restraint heading into the 2026 season, even with the goal of winning the title and with the AFC Champions League Elite to come in September.

Citizen have signed four new players, six including loan players putting pen to paper onn permanent deals, so where will they all fit in?

Diogo Oliveira, striker

First through the door was Brazilian striker Diogo Oliveira. The 29-year-old is a contender to start as Daejeon's main striker, but is likely to share the role with Joo Min-kyu, who, at 36 in April, will need to have his game time managed. Diogo is a powerful number nine type, standing at 6 ft 3 (194cm), and was recently in Brazil's Serie B, scoring six in 17 appearances for Paysandu SC. His professional record reads 38 goals and 13 assists in 170 matches, roughly a goal every 4.5 matches, or a goal contribution every 3.3 matches when including assists. Expect Diogo to start on the bench with Joo Min-kyu leading the line in the earlier part of the season.

Joao Victor, right winger

His loan spell proved successful in the second half of 2025, scoring four and assisting two in 13 appearances. He impressed so much that the club decided to make the deal permanent, deemed low risk, and ready to slot straight in, having already had half a season to acclimatise. He will be competing with Um Won-sang for the right-wing spot, though, in Hwang Sun-hong's 4-4-2, and with Um being a big name and a headline signing, the competition should bring out the best from both players.

Um Won-sang, right winger

Um won't have moved to Daejeon to sit on the bench and will know that he has competition for his place. It may come down to the toss of a coin between Um and Joao Victor, or depending on how many foreign players Hwang Sun-hong has already named in his starting XI. There's also the added complication of Jeong Jae-hee looking to be with the club for the time being, at least. Daejeon are oversaturated with wingers, but at least all six (three on each flank) provide something a bit different.

Gustav Ludwigson, left winger

On the left-hand side, Gustav Ludwigson is a shoo-in to start as first choice. He's a two-time K League title winner, and at 32, Daejeon are just about getting the last of his peak years. He'll bring real quality and a direct approach to that left flank, with someone who chips in with a healthy number of goals and assists. He has Seo Jin-su as direct competition, a player of on-the-ball quality, but one who hasn't been able to add much in terms of goals and assists. It also appears as though Choi Geon-ju will be with the club for pre-season, despite rumoured interest from FC Anyang.

Cho Seong-gwon, defender

Signed on a free from Gwangju FC, versatile defender Cho Seong-gwon's place in the team is a little less straightforward. The 24-year-old operated largely as a right back for the Griffins last year, but Daejeon are well stocked in that department, so it appears as though Cho will be an option at right centre back. He's a talented player, good on the ball and can defend, but he has Ha Chang-rae, and Kim Min-duk to compete with to partner Anton Kryvotsyuk, assuming Daejeon stick to a back four. Cho would be an ideal fit for the right centre back in a three, should Hwang lean in that direction.

Ha Chang-rae, centre back

The permanent signing of Ha Chang-rae, who spent the 2025 season on loan from J1 League side Nagoya Grampus, means Daejeon are done in terms of their defensive reinforcements. Ha will likely be first choice to partner Anton in a back four.

Squad Depth

Goalkeepers

Lee Chang-geunLee Jun-seoLee Kyung-taeKim Min-su

Left backs

Lee Myung-jaePark Kyu-hyun

Seo Young-jae

Right backs

Kim Moon-hwanKang Yun-sungKim Jin-yaOh Jae-suk

Centre backs

Anton Kryvotsyuk

Ha Chang-raeCho Seong-gwonKim Min-dukLim Jong-eun

Central midfielders