Ahn Jung Hwan

Birth Date: January 27 1976
Birth Place: 233 Doopo-ri, Papyung-myeon, Paju city, Kyoungki Province
Birth Nation: Republic of Korea
Height: 178cm
Weight: 78Kg
Nationality: South Korean
Position: Forward, Offensive Midfielder

He started his career with Korean side Daewoo Royals, who later became the Busan I'cons. He is often known as the Lord of the Rings due to his goal-scoring celebration which consists of him kissing his wedding ring. He scored 44 goals in 87 appearances earning him his loan move to Italian side Perugia (who paid $400,000 for the loan).

He made his South Korean debut on 23 April 1997 in a friendly against China, and earned a place on the reserve list for France 98, without actually making it on the plane.

At this point his fame and fortune seemed to be affecting him, he struggled in Perugia and when Guus Hiddink took over as manager of the South Korean national side he said that he saw him play and he was terrible: "When I first saw Ahn Jung-hwan he was really terrible", said the Dutchman. "I think he was conceited because he was playing in Italy. I thought I had to shake him up a bit. I teased, 'Who knows you in Italy? Probably the people of Perugia know that Ahn Jung-hwan washes the benches.'"

Ahn Jung-Hwan rose to fame in the 2002 World Cup when Perugia Chairman, Luciano Gaucci promised that Ahn 'would never set foot in Perugia again.' after Ahn scored the 'Golden Goal' in South Korea's 2-1 win over Italy in the second round of the World Cup which knocked Italy out of that tournament.

Gaucci later denied he made the above remarks but Ahn had already refused to go back to Serie A side Perugia saying "I will no longer discuss my transfer to Perugia, which attacked my character instead of congratulating me for a goal in the World Cup."

Ahn's previous goal in the World Cup had provoked equally angry reactions. South Korea hadn't played particularly well against the United States in Taegu and had fallen behind to a Clint Mathis goal. Ahn popped up again to inspire his teammates, but it was what he did after scoring the equalizer that enraged Americans. Ahn ran over to the corner flag and started to imitate a speedskater, and his teammates joined in the fun. It probably didn't mean a lot to the American team, but sports watchers and, more importantly, the 66,000 Koreans in the crowd and the millions watching on TV knew exactly what he was doing. Earlier in the year, South Korean speedskater Kim Dong Sung had been deprived of a gold medal in the Olympics after a protest by American Apolo Anton Ohno, who got the gold instead. This was seen as favouritism towards the American skater as the reason for Kim Dong Sung's disqualification was highly debatable. The celebration was Ahn's-and Korea's-way of reply. Many viewed it as brilliant. Americans were incensed.

Ahn was hoping to secure a contract with a top European club after South Korea reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup and he nearly moved to English premier league side, Blackburn Rovers but the immigration office denied him a work permit. He was also linked with a number of other European clubs but was unable to tie up a suitable move.

Ahn was then offered a move to Japanese league side Shimizu S-Pulse and on September 16 2002 the South Korean World Cup hero joined S-Pulse on a one year contract with an estimated annual salary of $491,800 dollars.

His first appearance for S-Pulse was on 28 September 2002 against Urawa Reds (at Nihondaira Stadium) and he has quickly become a firm favourite with the Shimizu supporters.

In January 2004 he moved to Yokohama Marinos (the then J-League champions) on a one-year contract. Stating that he wanted such a short contract because he still hoped for a move to Europe.

In July 2005 he finally sealed a move back to Europe to join FC Metz in France. In January of 2006 he was invited to a trial at Blackburn Rovers but twice failed to turn up and instead he joined MSV Duisburg of Germany in February. Unfortunately for him they were relegated at the end of the season and he is now looking to move, and is being constantly linked with clubs such as Heart of Midlothian in Scotland.

His wife is a former Miss Korea, Lee Hye-Won, which has led to some calling him Asia's answer to David Beckham. Though, to the best of my knowledge, Beckham has never had a mother who has served time for fraud or had gambling problems.

July 12 2006: Hearts are increasingly likely to miss out on signing Ahn Jung-hwan, according to the striker's agent, Tom Sanders. Sanders is ready to initiate talks with other clubs, having heard nothing recently from Tynecastle. "Ahn wants to come to Hearts but there are two clubs in England and two in Spain who want to sign him and their pre-season is starting," he said. "I heard rumours that they no longer want him and they haven't contacted me so I think the deal is maybe off now."

Ahn Jung Hwan