Former representative of each age in Japan

Gangwon FC, which succeeded in staying dramatic in the 2023 season, will recruit Yuta Kamiya, a former representative of Japanese age, as a resource to revitalize the midfield.

"We are recruiting multiplayer Utah Kamya who played in the J-League. I will join the team immediately after conducting a medical test early next month," Gangwon said in a press release on Monday.

Utah, which will be in charge of Gangwon's midfield in the 2024 season, is a resource that can serve as a playmaker based on its active activities as an attacking midfielder from the Japanese national team by age. Gangwon expects Utah's joining will further strengthen its sluggish offense in the 2023 season.

Utah is Gangwon's first recruitment for the 2024 season. Utah, who was born in 1997 and played for Shimizu S-Pulse through this season after playing for Shonanbelle Mare and Kashiwa Reysol in the J-League, is a multiplayer who can play various roles in offensive positions such as wing forward as well as shadow striker. He played for the Japanese national team by age and also participated in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang to win the silver medal.

Gangwon is also looking forward to working with coach Yoon Jung-hwan, who has been a leader for a long time in Japan by recruiting Utah, who has experience in the J-League.

Earlier, Kang broke up with Uzbekistan playmaker Alibayev, heralding the majority of the midfielders. Before announcing the recruitment of Utah Kamya, she announced the termination of her contract with Alibayev through a posting on her SNS account, saying, "Alibayev will complete his journey with Gangwon FC. I will never forget the time we spent together and cheer for Alibayev in the future."

Alibayev also said goodbye to Gangwon fans, saying, "I am always grateful to the fans for their generous applause. I will remember my time in Gangwon forever and I will always support you wherever I am."

Alibayev, who played a key role in the midfield in the 2023 season, has left, and as Seo Min-woo also headed to Gimcheon Sangmu to serve in the military, Gangwon, which has a gap in the midfield, will be relieved by recruiting Utah. In addition, Ryu Jae-moon, a midfielder of Jeonbuk Hyundai, will be recruited through free agency.

Gangwon ranked sixth in the 2022 season, raising expectations for this season, but fell to the bottom of the league due to repeated slump under former coach Choi Yong-soo. Having failed to rebound easily, Gangwon broke up with Choi and appointed Yoon Jung-hwan as its head coach. 스포츠토토

Having accumulated points little by little under Yoon, the team successfully escaped the last place and took 10th place, beating Suwon Samsung and Suwon FC, avoiding direct relegation from the secondary league. In the playoff, it also defeated Gimpo FC 2-1 in the first and second games, confirming its remaining in the K-League 1. Gangwon plans to seek a turnaround of the 2024 season with Yoon. Utah, which it recruited as its first plan, is expected to become a Christmas present for Gangwon fans.