Where will ‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35) go? According to the conditions of ‘a team that can win’ and ‘a team that can run comfortably’, the destination has been narrowed down.
The Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) announced the list of free agents (FA) on the 9th. Kim Yeon-kyung, who joined Heungkuk Life Insurance in 2005, filled his free agency (6 seasons) for the first time because he played abroad for a long time.
Even during the season, Kim Yeon-kyung took the lead toward retirement. However, he showed overwhelming performance this season, and while missing the championship, he decided to extend it. Kim Yeon-kyung, who said “I’m in trouble” after the championship match, said after winning the MVP award on the 10th in the regular league, “I decided to extend my career as a player.”
It is not only domestic teams that want Kim Yeon-kyung. An official in the volleyball world hinted, “There are still offers for Kim Yeon-kyung abroad.” However, Kim Yeon-kyung hardened her mind by staying in the V-League. Her first condition is ‘a team with strong power’. Kim Yeon-kyung added, “I want to win the championship next year, so I will try to choose well as a team that can win it.” “I thought (signing offers) would come from all the clubs, but not many,” she said.
Usually, free agents sign a three-year contract because the reacquisition period is three seasons. A-level players sign contracts that guarantee a three-year salary. Arithmetically, Kim Yeon-kyung can receive up to 2.4 billion won over three years. However, Kim Yeon-kyung is expected to sign a one-year contract. He could retire after one season. Considering the compensation (900 million won + 1 player or 1.35 billion won), it is burdensome as a recruiting team. It means that only the ‘Win Now’ team, which is aiming for the championship right away, is Kim Yeon-kyung’s destination.
The chances of playing for Highway Corporation and Heungkuk Life Insurance, who have reached the championship, are close to ‘0’. Expressway Corporation is focusing on renewing the contracts of five original players (Park Jeong-ah, Bae Yuna, Jeong Dae-young, Moon Jeong-won, and Jeon Sae-yan). KGC Ginseng Corporation and IBK Industrial Bank did not rule out recruitment, but they turned to giving up. Heungkuk Life Insurance expressed its intention to renew the contract with Kim Yeon-kyung, but it seems that Kim Yeon-kyung will not accept it.
Realistically, the most promising team for Kim Yeon-kyung’s destination is Hyundai E&C. Hyundai E&C took first place in the 2021-22 season, which was suspended due to corona, and last season, it was an overwhelming first place until foreign player Yasmin Bedardt left due to injury. This is the team with the strongest desire to win. If Kim Yeon-kyung joins, the puzzle will fit perfectly. It is close to Kim Yeon-kyung’s house, and also has her best friend Yang Hyo-jin.
The only stumbling block is the salary cap (limiting the sum of annual salaries). Kim Yeon-kyung said, “If you have the winning history, you can sign a contract even with lower conditions,” but she said, “I don’t know because there is a negative view (about signing a contract by lowering the salary).” Last season, Hyundai E&C was also embroiled in controversy over ‘pay cut’ as Yang Hyo-jin signed a contract with an annual salary lowered from 700 million won to 500 million won. 메이저사이트
However, after this season, Hwang Min-kyung (300 million won), Kim Yeon-gyeon (220 million won), Hwang Yeon-joo (102 million won), and Jeong Si-yeong (61.5 million won) will be released as free agents after this season. If you give up contracts with some players and give one as a compensation player, you can guarantee Kim Yeon-kyung’s salary to some extent. According to the regulations, the maximum amount of remuneration of 775 million won (425 million won in annual salary + 300 million won in options) is difficult, but it is possible to maintain the level of last year’s annual salary of 700 million won.
Kim Yeon-kyung’s negotiations are likely to conclude within this week. There are a lot of free agent transfers, so clubs and players want quick negotiations.