Former Incheon United striker Mugosa is back home.
Mugosa, a Montenegrin, returned home through Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. Mugosa, who played for Incheon last year before moving to Bitsel Kobe, was welcomed back by CEO Lee Jae-soo and the club’s staff. His contract runs until 2025.
Mugosa joined Incheon in 2018. He showed incredible scoring power with 19 goals and four assists in 35 league games and continued to lead Incheon’s retention in 2019 with 14 goals and four assists in 32 games. Up until last year, he had 68 goals and 10 assists in 129 games, making him an absolute force in Incheon’s offense.
Based on his performances for Incheon and the Montenegrin national team, he was named the 2018 Montenegrin Player of the Year and the 2019 Montenegrin Player of the Year.
In June last year, Mugosa triggered his buyout clause and moved to Bissell Kobe. However, he struggled to adapt and was constantly rumored to return to Incheon. The fans also wanted him back and tried to terminate his contract with Kobe on their own during the summer transfer window.
But Kobe wouldn’t let him go, and Incheon came up with a solution. On July 2, Incheon sent a letter to Kobe. It was a letter of intent to begin negotiations with Mugosa, who is set to become a free agent in 2024.
The tables have turned. If Mugosa signs a contract with Incheon through 2024, the club will not be able to sell him to another team in the summer transfer window. 토토사이트 Kobe, hoping to get even a small transfer fee, offered Mugosa to terminate his contract.
Instead of giving up his remaining salary with Kobe, Mugosa was open to returning to Incheon, and he did just that. For Incheon, who are in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) playoffs and looking to qualify for the knockout rounds, it’s a huge coup.
“I’m looking forward to being back in a familiar place, with familiar people, coaching staff, and teammates to lead the team’s second half rebound,” Mugosa said. “I’m grateful to the best Incheon fans and city for waiting for my return. I want to play soccer that brings them joy, like coach Cho Sung-hwan’s motto, and prove that Incheon is still strong.”
Mugosa will wear the number 9, the unique number he wore in Incheon. He will meet the fans at the 23rd round home game against Daejeon Hana Citizen at the Incheon Football Stadium on May 16. An induction ceremony will be held before the match.