South Korean national team midfielder Hong Hyun-seok (27) has joined Danish professional football club FC Midtjylland, teaming up with national teammate Cho Gue-sung.

Midtjylland announced the official signing of the attacking midfielder on a season-long loan through its official website on September 3 (KST).

While specific contract terms were not disclosed, local media outlets such as Sky Sports Germany reported that the deal includes a permanent transfer option valued at less than 1 million euros (approx. 1.5 billion won).

A product of the Ulsan HD youth academy who previously played for LASK in Austria and Gent in Belgium, Hong successfully advanced to a major European league in 2024 by joining Germany's Mainz, the club of national teammate Lee Jae-sung.

However, failing to secure a regular starting spot, he spent last season on loan at French club Nantes and his former team Gent.

Upon returning to Mainz this summer, Hong was initially heavily linked with a move to German 2. Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, but negotiations collapsed just before the transfer window deadline, leading to Midtjylland being selected as his new destination.

Midtjylland is the club where prominent South Korean national team forward Cho Gue-sung plays as a regular starter.

The club previously achieved major milestones by signing Cho Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom simultaneously in 2023, winning the 2023–2024 Danish Superliga title and the 2025–2026 Danish Cup.

Although the previous "Korean Duo" disbanded when Lee Han-beom moved to Belgian club Club Brugge in the summer transfer window, Hong's arrival is expected to generate new synergy alongside Cho.

Through the club, Hong shared his thoughts on joining, stating, "Midtjylland is a big club, and I know they have been watching me for a long time. Cho Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom told me a lot of good things about the team, so I was certain this was the right choice for me."

He added, "Since the team missed out on the title last season, winning the championship must be our goal this season. It will also hold great personal significance for me," while expressing his determination to achieve strong results in the UEFA Conference League (UECL).

(Photo provided by Mainz, Yonhap News)