Suk Hyun-jun
Suk with Troyes in 2020
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-06-29) 29 June 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Chungju, Chungbuk, South Korea
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2007–2009 Shingal High School
2009–2011 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Ajax 3 (0)
2010–2011 Ajax Zaterdag
2011–2012 Groningen 27 (5)
2013 Marítimo 14 (4)
2013–2014 Al-Ahli 14 (2)
2014–2015 Nacional 13 (2)
2015–2016 Vitória de Setúbal 33 (13)
2016–2018 Porto 9 (1)
2016–2017 → Trabzonspor (loan) 10 (0)
2017 → Debrecen (loan) 13 (1)
2017–2018 → Troyes (loan) 26 (6)
2018 Troyes 1 (0)
2018–2020 Reims 35 (4)
2020–2022 Troyes 32 (5)
2022 Troyes B 4 (1)
International career
2009–2011 South Korea U20 5 (1)
2011–2016 South Korea U23 6[α] (3)
2010–2018 South Korea 15 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4:43, 24 February 2023 (UTC)

Suk Hyun-jun (Korean: 석현준; Hanja: 石現俊; RR: Seok Hyeon-jun; Korean pronunciation: [sʌ.kʰjʌn.dʑun] or [sʌ.k̚] [hjʌn.dʑun]; born 29 June 1991) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward.

Club career

Ajax

After initially trialling with Eredivisie side Ajax, Suk signed 1.5-year contract with the Dutch club in October 2010. The contract effective from 1 January 2010 also included the option for Ajax to extend by another year.[1][2] He made his debut in the first team in February as a substitute in a 4–0 home win against Roda JC.[3]

He scored his first Ajax goal in a 2010–11 pre-season friendly win against Chelsea on 23 July 2010.[4] He did not play in any official first-team matches during the 2010–11 season and his contract at Ajax was not renewed.

Groningen

On 27 June 2011, Suk signed a two-year contract with Groningen including an option for a two-year extension.[5] He scored five goals in his first season with Groningen including two goals against PSV Eindhoven,[6] showing the potential for growth. However, he did not score in the next season and had to leave the club.

Marítimo

In January 2013, Suk signed with Primeira Liga club Marítimo. He netted his first goal for Marítimo in his third match, a 1–0 win against Sporting CP.[7] He scored his second goal in a 1–1 draw with Porto. He moved to Saudi club Al-Ahli after making four goals for half a year in Marítimo. Vítor Pereira, the new Al-Ahli manager and previous Porto manager, was interested in Suk's performance in Portugal.[8]

Vitória de Setúbal

Suk joined Nacional after having an unsuccessful time in Al-Ahli due to a toe injury.[9] However, he also failed to settle in Nacional, and transferred to another Portuguese club Vitória de Setúbal on 12 January 2015.[10]

During the 2014–15 season, he achieved double-digit goals in a season for the first time by scoring five goals for Vitória in addition to five goals for Nacional.[11] In the next season, he spent his prime by scoring 11 goals during the first half of the season. His long-range goal against Académica was named Primeira Liga Goal of the Month for August and September 2015.[12] On 2 January 2016, he scored an unstoppable free-kick only four minutes into a match against Braga.[13][14]

Porto

Suk moved to Porto on 15 January 2016 after his great performances in Setúbal.[15] However, his transfer to Porto was not good choice as a result. His flow was stopped for the rest of the season, and he moved to Trabzonspor on 11 August 2016 on a one-year loan with an option to sign permanently. According to Trabzonspor's stock market report the fee paid to Porto by Trabzonspor was €750,000 and Suk was going to make more than €1 million a year.[16][17]

On 31 January 2017, after half a season at Trabzonspor and not finding much success, Suk's loan was cut short.[18] The same day, a move to Bastia broke down although a loan agreement with Porto had been signed. The reason given by Bastia was that administrative documents had not been transferred in time.[18][19]

On 14 February 2017, Suk joined Hungarian side Debrecen on loan for the rest of the season.[20]

Troyes

On 30 August 2017, Suk was again sent on loan, joining Ligue 1 club Troyes for 2017–18 season.[21] Suk made his first goal for Troyes in his fifth Ligue 1 appearance against Strasbourg.[22] Afterwards, he scored in subsequent two league matches, starting the season strong.[23] On 9 December, he scored two goals against Monaco with his concentration on the ball.[24] However, in a league match against Angers on 17 January 2018, he suffered an ankle injury that saw him sidelined for over a month.[25] He eventually lost his previous form after the injury, adding only one goal for the remainder of the season.[26]

In June 2018, after being relegated to Ligue 2, Troyes signed Suk permanently. He played the first league match of the season.[27] In August 2018, Suk moved to Reims, who had been promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2018–19 season.[27] Reims paid Troyes a transfer fee of €2.75 million plus €4 million in potential bonuses.[28]

However, Suk returned to Troyes in January 2020 after disappointing Reims. In July 2022, his contract with the club was terminated.[29]

Jeonju Citizen

Suk was largely criticised for trying to evade his mandatory military service since April 2019. He was on the list of draft dodgers of the Military Manpower Administration in December 2020 by rejecting their demand for his return.[30]

After he left from Troyes, he returned to South Korea and started to stand trial. On 24 February 2023, Suk joined K4 League club Jeonju Citizen during the trial. He could play for Jeonju Citizen before the court judgement, and could continue to play as a social service agent if the court did not disallow his alternative service.[31] However, Jeonju Citizen cancelled his registration on the list of its players.[32]

International career

In November 2009, Suk took part in the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification.[33]

On 7 September 2010, Suk made his senior international debut in a friendly against Iran.[34]

Suk played for South Korean under-23 team as an over-aged player in the 2016 Summer Olympics. He scored twice against Fiji, and once against Germany.[35]

Personal life

Suk is a devout Christian.[36] Some people have mistakenly thought that Suk was Muslim due to his goal celebration resembling the Salat. However, Suk himself said this was not true and that his celebration was modeled after Kaká's. Suk's tendency to visibly pray in matches has occasionally been criticized by Korean pundits and fans.[37]

Suk also has two visible sleeve tattoos on his arms.[38]

During his time at Porto, Suk became good friends with Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas.[39]

On 13 March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was confirmed that Suk had tested positive for the coronavirus in Italy.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 July 2022[41][42][43]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ajax 2009–10 Eredivisie 3 0 0 0 — 2 0 — 5 0
2010–11 Eredivisie 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Total 3 0 0 0 — 2 0 1 0 6 0
Ajax Zaterdag 2010–11[44] Eerste Klasse A ? ? — — — ? ? ? ?
Groningen 2011–12 Eredivisie 20 5 0 0 — — — 20 5
2012–13 Eredivisie 7 0 1 0 — — — 8 0
Total 27 5 1 0 — — — 28 5
Marítimo 2012–13 Primeira Liga 14 4 0 0 0 0 — — 14 4
Al-Ahli 2013–14 Saudi Professional League 14 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 — 18 2
Nacional 2014–15 Primeira Liga 13 2 3 3 1 0 2 0 — 19 5
Vitória de Setúbal 2014–15 Primeira Liga 17 4 0 0 4 1 — — 21 5
2015–16 Primeira Liga 16 9 3 2 1 0 — — 20 11
Total 33 13 3 2 5 1 — — 41 16
Porto 2015–16 Primeira Liga 9 1 1 1 2 0 2 0 — 14 2
Trabzonspor (loan) 2016–17 Süper Lig 10 0 7 1 — — — 17 1
Debrecen (loan) 2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 13 1 0 0 — 0 0 — 13 1
Troyes (loan) 2017–18 Ligue 1 26 6 0 0 1 0 — — 27 6
Troyes 2018–19 Ligue 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Reims 2018–19 Ligue 1 22 3 0 0 1 0 — — 23 3
2019–20 Ligue 1 13 1 0 0 3 0 — — 16 1
Total 35 4 0 0 4 0 — — 39 4
Troyes 2019–20 Ligue 2 5 2 0 0 — — — 5 2
2020–21 Ligue 2 18 3 0 0 — — — 18 3
2021–22 Ligue 1 9 0 1 0 — — — 10 0
Total 32 5 1 0 — — — 33 5
Troyes B 2021–22 National 3 4 1 — — — — 4 1
Career total 234 44 17 7 15 1 7 0 1 0 274 52
  1. ^ Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield

International

Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Suk goal.[35]
List of international goals scored by Suk Hyun-jun
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 3 September 2015 Hwaseong Stadium, Hwaseong, South Korea  Laos 4–0 8–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 17 November 2015 New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos  Laos 4–0 5–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 27 March 2016 Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand  Thailand 1–0 1–0 Friendly
4 5 June 2016 Eden Arena, Prague, Czech Republic  Czech Republic 2–0 2–1 Friendly
5 20 November 2018 Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Brisbane, Australia  Uzbekistan 4–0 4–0 Friendly

Honours

Ajax

Al-Ahli

Porto

Troyes

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ Includes five appearances and three goals as an overage player (four appearances and three goals in Summer Olympics, one appearance in friendlies).

References

  1. ^ "Ajax signs Hyun Jun Suk". Ajax. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Ajax Sign South Korean Youngster Hyun Jun Suk". Goal.com. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  3. ^ Kang, Seung-woo (4 February 2010). "Suk Hyun-jun Makes Dutch Debut". The Korea Times. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Turnbull slumps against Ajax". Sky Sports. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  5. ^ "FC Groningen contracteert Zuid-Koreaan Suk" (in Dutch). FC Groningen. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  6. ^ 석현준, '최강' PSV 상대 멀티골 기록 (in Korean). SBS. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Suk gives Marítimo win at the Alvalade". portugoal.net. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
  8. ^ 석현준, 사우디 알 아흘리 이적 확실시…포르투갈 언론 보도 (in Korean). Best Eleven. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  9. ^ 알 아흘리 감독 “부상 석현준 있었다면…” (in Korean). KBS. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  10. ^ 석현준, 포르투갈 비토리아 세투발로 이적 (in Korean). Jeonbuk Joongang. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  11. ^ 석현준, 유럽 단일시즌 10골 6번째 한국인 되다 (in Korean). MK Sports. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Suk vence o prémio de "Golo do Mês Samsung/Liga NOS"". Vitória F.C. 16 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Hyun-Jun Suk produces sensational set piece". SBS On Demand. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  14. ^ "[VIDEO] Suk Hyun-jun beautiful freekick against Braga". Troll Football. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  15. ^ "SUK IS NOW A DRAGON". FC Porto. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  16. ^ Ufak, Erdem (11 August 2016). "Trabzonspor meldet Suk-Transfer perfekt!" (in German). Gazete Futbol. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Voormalig Ajax-spits Suk naar Trabzonspor" (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Hyun-Jun Suk (Porto) n'ira pas à Bastia, les documents enregistrés trop tard" [Hyun-Jun Suk (Porto) will not go to Bastia, documents registered too late] (in French). L'Equipe. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  19. ^ "SC Bastia : Huyn-Jun Suk ne vent pas" [SC Bastia: Huyn-Jun Suk does not come] (in French). Corse-Matin. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  20. ^ "S. Korean striker joins Hungarian club on loan from FC Porto". Yonhap News Agency. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Suk Hyun-jun (FC Porto) prêté à Troyes" (in French). L'Équipe. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Goal Hyunjun SUK (48') / ESTAC Troyes - RC Strasbourg Alsace (3-0) / 2017-18". YouTube.com. Ligue 1. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  23. ^ ‘원톱’ 석현준, 佛 리그앙 3경기 연속 골 (in Korean). Kukmin Ilbo. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  24. ^ "AS Monaco - ESTAC Troyes (3-2) - Highlights - (ASM - ESTAC) / 2017-18". YouTube.com. Ligue 1. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  25. ^ [리그앙 리뷰] ‘석현준 부상’ 트루아, 앙제에 1-3 패배...3연패 수렁 (in Korean). InterFootball. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Goal Hyunjun SUK (84') / ESTAC Troyes - SM Caen (3-1) (ESTAC-SMC) / 2017-18". YouTube.com. Ligue 1. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Ligue 1 club Reims sign South Korea striker Suk". France 24. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Reims sign Korean striker Suk Hyun-Jun from ESTAC Troyes". French Football News. 9 August 2018.
  29. ^ Bakhkhar, Anas (29 July 2022). "Troyes se sépare de Hyun-jun Suk" (in French). Foot Mercato. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  30. ^ 충격의 병역기피 석현준, 팬들이 그에게 더 분노하는 이유 (in Korean). Money Today. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  31. ^ [오피셜] '병역법 위반 논란' 석현준, 韓 4부리그 입단한다... 당장 뛸수 있나 (in Korean). Money Today. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  32. ^ [K-ISSUE] 전주 입단 후 사라진 석현준...현 상황은? (in Korean). InterFootball. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Men's U-20 team - AFC U-19 Championship (8 October 2009)" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  34. ^ 석현준 "짧은 데뷔전, 나를 못 보여줬어". Goal.com (in Korean). 7 September 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Suk Hyun-jun at Korea Football Association" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  36. ^ '아픈 만큼 성숙' 석현준의 유럽 도전기 (in Korean). YTN. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  37. ^ 종자연, 또다시 '기도 세리머니' 딴죽… 이번엔 석현준 선수 (in Korean). Christian Today. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  38. ^ 석현준, 갑자기 팔에 문신 도배한 이유…'헉' 알고보니 '충격' (in Korean). World Today. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  39. ^ 석현준, "카시야스가 많이 신경 써, 같은 방 쓰기도" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  40. ^ "Troyes, Hyun-Jun Suk positif au coronavirus". Goal.com (in French). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  41. ^ "Suk Hyun-Jun Statistics". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  42. ^ "Suk Hyun-Jun Statistics". Voetbal International. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  43. ^ "Portuguese First Division top scroers". UEFA. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  44. ^ "General Information for Ajax Zaterdag Amsterdam in 2010/11". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  45. ^ a b c d Suk Hyun-jun at Soccerway

External links

South Korea men's football squad – 2016 Summer Olympics
Categories