Reporter Lee Eui-jin = Brazilian striker Hayes, who moved to Jeju United in the professional soccer K League 1, expressed his aspirations, saying, “My goal is to exceed the record scored in Gwangju last season.”
Hayes said at the ‘2023 K-League Winter Field Training Media Camp’ held at Parev Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju on the 7th, “I want to score a lot of goals. Of course, the goal is to lift as many trophies as possible as Jeju wants.”
Hayes, who ranked first in the K-League 2 overall last season in Adidas Point, a player’power ranking’ announced by the Korea Professional Football Federation, moved from Gwangju FC to Jeju ahead of the new season.
After joining Gwangju in the 2021 season and entering the K-League, he settled down with 4 goals and 5 assists in 30 games in the first year, and made a big success last year with 12 goals and 4 assists in 39 games.
Jeju expects that Hayes will add weight to the front of the team that has become loose.
Jeju was in an emergency due to the departure of Joo Min-gyu (17 goals) and Jerso (8 goals), who ranked second in scoring last season.
Joo Min-gyu was taken by Ulsan Hyundai and Jeruso by Incheon United, and about half of Jeju’s total goals (52 goals) in the 2022 season came from the feet of the two players.
“Both players posted good records last year,” Hayes said. “You have a competitive mindset to break that record. It’s a good motivator for me.”
He added, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join a club as big as Jeju. I will try my best to spend an evolving season.”
Jeju coach Nam Ki-il, who expressed regret over the departure of the two strikers, also expressed anticipation, saying, “Hayes has a flash. When he catches the ball, he has the flash of seeing three or four moves ahead, so fans will like it.” 메이저놀이터
Yuri, a foreign player from Brazil, was also given the task of helping Hayes fill the vacant positions of Joo Min-gyu and Zerso.
Yuri, who boasts a solid physique of 185 cm and 88 kg, is a striker who has gone through professional stages in Brazil, Portugal and Japan.
Yuri, who is nicknamed ‘Tanque’ in Portuguese for ‘tank’ because of her skill in post play, said, “I heard that the second-ranked player in the previous season participated. I feel more responsible.”
“It’s a motivating factor for me to replace him,” he said, adding that he was helped by fellow Brazilian player Hayes.
“(Hayes) explains the culture of the K-League club and why the coaching staff gives specific instructions,” Yuri said. there is,” he explained.
Manager Nam praised him, saying, “Yuri is a player who is ready to score a goal just by passing the ball to the goal.”