Hong Hyun-seok joins Denmark’s Midtjylland on one-year loan, linking up with Cho Gue-sung

Hong Hyun-seok is heading to Denmark for a fresh start, joining Midtjylland on a one-season loan from Mainz and reuniting with fellow South Korea international Cho Gue-sung.

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Midtjylland is a big club, and I know they have watched me for a long time.

Midtjylland announced the signing on its website on the 3rd, describing Hong as an attacking midfielder. Local media reported that the agreement includes an option to make the transfer permanent for less than 1 million euros, or about 1.5 billion won.

Hong, who came through the K League 1 youth system at Ulsan HD, built his career in Europe with LASK in Austria and Gent in Belgium before joining Mainz in 2024, the club of fellow South Korean player Lee Jae-sung. He struggled to secure a regular starting place, however, and spent time on loan at Nantes in France and back at Gent.

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Cho Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom also gave me good advice, so I was convinced it was a team that suited me.

After returning to Mainz this summer, Hong looked for another destination and eventually moved to Midtjylland. The club also includes national-team striker Cho Gue-sung. Defender Lee Han-beom, who played there through last season, transferred to Belgian side Club Brugge before the new campaign.

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Because we missed out on the title last season, we must definitely aim to win it this season.

Hong said Midtjylland is “a big club” and that he knew it had watched him for a long time. Advice from Cho and Lee Han-beom convinced him the team suited him. He added that Midtjylland missed out on the title last season and must target the championship this year, while also seeking a strong UEFA Conference League campaign.

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I also want to achieve a good result in the UEFA Conference League.