▲ Choi Jung-won, who signed with Portugal's top-tier FC Alverca
Choi Jung-won, a midfielder from Pukyong High SC, has officially signed with FC Alverca of Portugal's professional football league, the Primeira Liga.
Sports management agency Denny announced today, "Choi Jung-won has signed a formal contract with Alverca."
"Moving past the domestic high school stage, he is taking his first serious steps onto the European stage," the agency stated, adding, "It is deeply significant that he is beginning his professional career with an official contract rather than a simple overseas experience or short-term trial."
According to Denny, Choi can play as both a defensive midfielder and a central midfielder. While he does not yet have experience with age-group national teams, he was previously selected for a high school elite player selection program hosted by the Korea Football Association.
While training with multiple clubs locally in Portugal, Choi received offers from several teams and ultimately chose Alverca as his destination.
Founded in 1939, Alverca won the Portuguese third division in the 2023–2024 season and finished as runners-up in the second division in the 2024–2025 season, earning promotion to the Primeira Liga (first division) starting in the 2025–2026 season.
Last season, the club finished 11th in the regular league to successfully retain its top-tier status, and is currently ranked 10th with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses (8 points) through 7 rounds of the regular league this season.
Lim Gyu-hyeok, CEO of Denny, explained, "Because Choi is still a young player, we placed more importance on an environment where he can stably adapt to European football and grow for the long term than on the name recognition of the club."
(Photo provided by Denny Inc., Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.