[Anchor]
Kim Min-jae, who returned to South Korea for the first time in two years alongside his club Bayern Munich after wrapping up the North and Central American World Cup, attended a press conference ahead of tomorrow's (August 4) friendly match against Jeju. He directly dismissed recent transfer rumors.
Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the details.
[Reporter]
Attending the press conference alongside Munich manager Vincent Kompany, Kim Min-jae expressed his excitement ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Jeju.
[Kim Min-jae / Bayern Munich Defender: I am very happy to come here with the team, and it is deeply meaningful to spend my first preseason in South Korea.]
With persistent transfer rumors swirling as he faced competition for starting spots from France national team member Dayot Upamecano and Germany national team member Jonathan Tah, Kim directly stated his intention to stay today.
[Kim Min-jae / Bayern Munich Defender: I think just being at a club like Bayern is a happy thing as a player, and the coach will surely give me plenty of chances. I think I will stay (at Munich).]
Manager Kompany stated that he has no doubts about Kim's abilities, offering generous praise for aspects beyond his performance on the pitch as well.
[Vincent Kompany / Bayern Munich Manager: There is something people might not know well. Kim Min-jae has a really great sense of humor. Whenever Kim says something, the players next to him immediately start laughing.]
Kim also reunited with Jeju manager Ricardo Costa, who previously served as a senior coach for Paulo Bento's national team, for the first time in four years to reminisce.
[Ricardo Costa / Jeju Manager: I missed Kim Min-jae so much. I am so happy to see Min-jae again. He is a player I truly cherish.]
Following fans flocking to Jeju International Airport to heat up the atmosphere upon the Munich squad's arrival yesterday (August 2), over 2,000 football fans visited the venue despite scorching heat waves exceeding 30°C (86°F) to watch Munich's open training session.
[Son Dae-shik & Son Min-jun / Munich Fans: Kim Min-jae must have gone through a lot because of the World Cup, but since the fans are here, we hope you always play with a joyful heart. Kim Min-jae fighting, Bayern Munich fighting.]
Although top star Harry Kane was unable to visit South Korea, world-class stars like Kim Min-jae and Manuel Neuer gifted fans with memories after training by signing autographs with bright smiles.
(Photo courtesy of Yang Doo-won | Video Editing: Park Jung-sam)
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