Good friends for many years: FC Bayern and the KFA, the South Korean football association, have enjoyed a partnership since 2019 aimed at nurturing talent and developing structures through regular exchange with the FC Bayern Campus. During the Audi Summer Tour in Seoul, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen along with vice presidents Prof. Dr. Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes underpinned the trusting relationship at a meeting with the KFA leadership, led by CEO Jeong Bae Kim, vice president Chang Woe Ryong, head of technical division Daeup Kim and head of coaches & development Jeehoon Kim.
Dreesen: Very happy with the partnership
"The KFA is the logical and best partner for us to promote talent in South Korea," said Dreesen, who brought along FC Bayern's new away shirt as a gift. "This is a partnership that benefits both sides greatly. We are very happy with the cooperation."
The long-erm, continuous exchange is also bearing fruit on the pitch. In attacking midfielder Hyun-ju Lee, who is currently on loan at Hannover 96 to gain experience in the second division, the German record champions have already signed a South Korean talent who is developing very promisingly. The 21-year-old U23 international moved from Pohang Steelers to FC Bayern II in the summer of 2022, and has scored 10 goals in 26 competitive outings. Before joining Hannover, he already took his first steps in the second division with Wehen Wiesbaden for one season.
In addition, a match between a mixed junior team from the South Korean youth national sides and a mixed team from the FC Bayern U17s and U19s took place at the FC Bayern Campus in April, with the Munich youngsters winning 2-1. The visitors' side included Mo Gyeong-Bin, who was later included in the FC Bayern World Squad 2024.
Continued development of coaches at FC Bayern Campus
South Korean coaches visit the Campus on a regular basis to meet the staff from the FC Bayern junior teams and refine their education. Each coach spends six months at the academy in Fröttmaning before swapping with the next one.
Find everything on the Audi Summer Tour 2024 here:
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