[Anchor]

Defender Kim Min-jae, who arrived in South Korea alongside his club Bayern Munich for the first time in two years after completing the North and Central America World Cup, attended a press conference ahead of a friendly match against Jeju today (August 4). He directly dismissed recent transfer rumors.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the details.

[Reporter]
Attending the press conference with Munich manager Vincent Kompany, Kim Min-jae expressed his excitement ahead of today's friendly match against Jeju.

[Kim Min-jae / Bayern Munich Defender: I am very glad to come here with the team, and it is deeply meaningful to spend my first preseason in South Korea.]

With persistent transfer rumors surrounding him due to competition for starting spots with France national team player Dayot Upamecano and Germany national team player Jonathan Tah, Kim explicitly stated his intention to stay.

[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 give me plenty of opportunities. I think I will stay (at Munich).]

Manager Kompany stated that he has no doubts about Kim's abilities and showered praise on his demeanor off the pitch as well.

[Vincent Kompany / Bayern Munich Manager: There is something people might not know. Kim Min-jae has a great sense of humor. As soon as Kim Min-jae says something, the players next to him immediately start laughing.]

Kim Min-jae also reunited with Jeju manager Ricardo Costa, who previously served as a senior coach for Bento's national team, after 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 the passionate turnout of fans who crowded Jeju Airport to welcome the Munich squad upon their arrival two days ago, more than 2,000 football fans visited the site to watch Munich's open training session despite the scorching heat exceeding 30°C (86°F).

[Son Dae-shik & Son Min-jun / Munich Fans: Kim Min-jae must have had a hard time because of the World Cup, but since the fans are here, we hope you will always play with a joyful heart. Kim Min-jae, fighting! Bayern Munich, fighting!]

Although top star Harry Kane could not make the trip to South Korea, world-class stars like Kim Min-jae and Manuel Neuer gifted fans with memories by signing autographs with bright smiles after training.

(Video by Yang Doo-won | Video Editing by Park Jung-sam)