By Miles Chambers
22 Jun 2011 09:47:00
AG: Ji Dong-Won, South Korea (Getty Images)
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Sunderland signing Ji Dong-Won can’t wait to play against fellow Koreans Park Ji-Sung and Lee Chung-Yong in the Premier League this season.
Ji, 20, signed a three-year contract with Sunderland from K-League club Chunnam Dragons after opting for them over PSV Eindhoven and Schalke, who were both chasing the youngster’s signature.
The striker knows winning a first-team place at the Stadium of Light won’t be easy but has some experience playing in the country already to boost his confidence.
“This is second time for me to play in England after my trial for Reading in 2007,” Ji told reporters in Jordan.
“The Premier League is a big stage; every player wants to play there. I chose Sunderland because I felt that they really wanted me.”
The youngster was part of the Korean squad that finished third in the Asian Cup earlier this year and has scored an impressive six goals in 11 appearances for the national side.
He is currently with the country’s Under-23 squad preparing for the second-leg of their Olympic qualifier against Jordan this coming Thursday.
Steve Bruce have been short on strikers as Darren Bent left for Aston Villa in the January transfer window and Danny Welbeck finished his loan spell and returned to parent club Manchester United at the end of last season.
Ji added: “I know competition for a starting place will be very hard but I’ll do my best. I want to fulfil what Sunderland expects from me within 6 months.
“I’m glad that I can now play against Park Ji-Sung and Lee Chung-Yong.”