Hong Jeong-ho


Hong Jeong-ho is a South Korean footballer who plays for K League 2 club Suwon Samsung Bluewings as a centre-back. He also played for the South Korea national team at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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Club career

Jeju United

Hong joined K League club Jeju United in November 2009 after quitting Chosun University. In his first professional season, he contributed to Jeju's second-place finish at the K League, being selected for the K League Best XI.
Hong was regarded as one of the best talents in South Korea at the time, but was dragged into a match-fixing scandal and an injury for the next two years. He was accused of being involved in the 2011 South Korean football match-fixing scandal, and was held out of the league during a two-month investigation. The investigation discovered that gangs had deposited ₩4 million unsolicited into his bank account, and he had later returned the funds. He was declared eligible for league matches after being cleared of wrongdoing. The next year, he injured his cruciate ligament in a K League match, having to take a rest during the second half of the season. He was the captain of the South Korea Olympic team in 2011 and 2012, but was absent from the 2012 Summer Olympics.

FC Augsburg

On 1 September 2013, Hong transferred to Bundesliga club FC Augsburg for a fee estimated around €2 million. He signed a four-year contract valid until 2017. On 5 April 2014, he helped the club keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Bayern Munich, giving Bayern their first defeat at the 2013–14 Bundesliga. On 2 May 2015, he won 18 aerial duels in a 0–0 draw with 1. FC Köln, being selected for the weekly European XI by Whoscored.com. On 10 December, he scored his first goal for Augsburg in a 3–1 UEFA Europa League win over Partizan. In the next match on 13 December, he scored his first Bundesliga goal, contributing to a 2–1 win over Schalke 04.

Jiangsu Suning

Hong was not a main player early in his career at Augsburg, but gradually enhanced his status at the club for three years. On 14 July 2016, however, he moved to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning, and his decision to leave the big league caused a controversy in South Korea. He explained that the transfer to China would not influence his ability as a national team player. Unlike his expectation, his mistakes increased in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the controversy was intensified. To make matters worse, he was pushed to the bench at Jiangsu during the 2017 season.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

On 13 January 2018, Hong was on loan to K League 1 club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Although he failed to be called up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he won two consecutive K League 1 titles for the term of his loan deal. On 13 January 2020, Jeonbuk agreed to his permanent move to them. After the permanent switch, he added three league titles and three Korea Cup titles including two Doubles to his career. Especially, he received the K League Most Valuable Player Award when winning the league in 2021.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

On 31 December 2025, Hong moved to K League 2 club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Personal life

Hong's brother Hong Jeong-nam was also a footballer who played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
115 November 2013Seoul, South Korea1–12–1Friendly
228 March 2017Seoul, South Korea1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Jiangsu Suning
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
South Korea U23
South Korea
Individual