The challenge of Heungkuk Life’s ‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35), who was aiming to win the V-League championship match in 14 seasons after the 2008-2009 season, ended with a ‘sad ending’, the sacrifice of the first ever ‘reverse sweep’ victory. Kim Yeon-kyung, who was said to be contemplating retirement during the season, hinted at an intention to ‘extend active service’ and obtained the first free agent (FA) qualification in the V-League and entered into negotiations with 7 clubs. As it is Kim Yeon-kyung, who still boasts top-notch competitiveness in air defense, the free agent market is expected to change depending on where his destination is decided.
On the 9th, the Korea Volleyball Federation announced the list of 20 women’s free agents. The seven women’s clubs will set up a negotiation table from this day to 6:00 pm on the 22nd and start strengthening their power for the next season.
Of the 20 free agents, the biggest concern is, of course, what Kim Yeon-kyung is doing. Kim Yeon-kyung, who wore the 2005-2006 1st round 1st round uniform of Heungkuk Life Insurance, played only 4 seasons in the V-League and has been active for a long time in overseas leagues such as Japan, Turkey, and China, and has now obtained the qualification of a’late’ FA.
Kim Yeon-kyung, who made a surprise statement during the season, saying, “I am thinking about her retirement,” has not yet 100% decided on extending her active service, but she has revealed that she will continue her active life to some extent. She said at a press conference after losing the 5th game of the championship match on the 6th, “A lot of fans came and cheered for today’s game as well. I can’t help but think about the existence of the fans and how grateful they are. Many people, including my parents and family, want me to run more. I think about that and try to make a comprehensive decision,” she said.
The loss in the championship is also a factor that makes Kim Yeon-kyung hesitate to retire. Regarding the point of contemplation over his retirement and extension of the Hyunyeon, Kim Yeon-kyung said, “It is because he did not win,” but “If he won, it is not like that again. The fact that he did not win today is a motivation to extend his active career. It is difficult for me to decide whether to retire or not. I have many thoughts.”
If Kim Yeon-kyung chooses to extend his player career and negotiations with his original team, Heungkuk Life Insurance, break down, the FA market is expected to fluctuate. Although she has reached the age of her late 30s, Kim Yeon-kyung is a player who can play the role of an ace in both offense and defense, with the highest level of offense and receiving ability comparable to that of a libero. Here, the power of fan mobilization is unmatched. In the regular season of the V-League this season, the women’s division sold out 19 times, and 17 of them were Heungkuk Life Insurance matches. Except for the first match in the championship match, the remaining four matches were sold out. Regardless of home and away, almost all matches where Kim Yeon-kyung appears are sold out. There is no reason for refusing to recruit Kim Yeon-kyung under the premise that Heungkuk Life Insurance and other 7 clubs have room on the salary cap.
Next to Kim Yeon-kyung, the duo of Park Jung-ah (30) and Bae Yoo-na (34), who led the Korea Expressway Corporation to win the championship, is considered. Park Jung-ah, her outside hitter, is expected to be directly influenced by Kim Yeon-kyung’s decision on where to go because her position overlaps with Kim Yeon-kyung’s.
For this reason, Bae Yoo-na, a top-notch middle blocker that will make everyone drool in any team that needs to strengthen their middle blocker, is expected to enjoy a special position over Park Jung-ah and become more popular in the market. Bae Yu-na, who suffered a great loss of salary due to her shoulder surgery prior to her free agent contract in the 2019-2020 season, will be recognized for her worth this time as she can be the last free agent to greet her with her top-notch skills. is the heart. In this championship game, the ransom is expected to rise further with the innate volleyball sense worthy of the nickname ‘volleyball genius’ and blocking like Altoran that bursts out in every clutch situation.
In this FA market, players such as Yeom Hye-seon (KGC Ginseng Corporation), the national team’s main setter, Kim Su-ji (IBK Industrial Bank), Kim Yeon-gyeon, Hwang Min-kyung (Hyundai E&C), and Lee Han-bi (Pepper Savings Bank), are high-level players who will lead to an increase in team power if recruited. there are many
However, the ‘FA rating system’, which differs the compensation system based on last season’s annual salary, is expected to determine their fate. A group with an annual salary of 100 million won or more, B group with an annual salary between 50 million won and 100 million won, and C group with an annual salary of less than 50 million won. 바카라
A club that recruits a Group A player can compensate the original team for 200% of the player’s previous season’s annual salary, excluding 6 protected players, including FA recruits, or 300% of the annual salary. Of the 20 players who appeared in the FA market this time, all 15 were included in Group A, excluding Hwang Yeon-joo, Jeong Si-young (Hyundai E&C), Jeong Dae-young (Highway Corporation), Chae Seon-ah (KGC Ginseng Corporation), and Do Soo-bin (Heungkuk Life Insurance). Other clubs trying to sign A-group players are complicatedly tapping the calculator to see if they are worth signing even at the risk of major blood loss.
When recruiting Group B and Group C free agents, you only need to pay compensation. Group B players must compensate 300% of the previous season’s annual salary, and in order to bring C group players, 150% of the previous season’s annual salary must be compensated to the original club.