VANCOUVER, BC - "We would like to sign a player in the midfield who is attacking the goal more than it was Inbeom's style."
Whitecaps FC CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster addressed the media on Friday morning, outlining the club's plans as well as disclosing some of the inner workings of the transfer deal that sent Inbeom Hwang to Russian club FC Rubin Kazan.
"He asked for the (transfer). He told me his goal was to go to Europe and I said I'm open to support you but only if we find a solution that satisfies everybody," said Schuster. "It became more concrete a few weeks ago. Our position was always the same - we are open to do it if we get a remarkable profit out of that business."
Schuster explained that while the club is looking for the next right move, it would be done at the right time, especially given the present situation where timeline for player acquisitions is extended due to travel and quarantine protocols.
"We have a clear idea of how this profile and player should look like but it will take some time until he is here. The market is very interesting right now because the prices are down because of the special situation. We have the spot, we have the financial possibilities, but we are not in a rush. We are in a very good position to find the right player and a good deal for us."
Schuster gave a concrete look of how the process happens in today's context and with the upcoming continuation of play.
"Even if we signed a player today, he would not help us in the Canadian series. We have the quarantine and the protocols of the league. We have hurdles right now to getting players into the country anyway. If he is a player from Central America or Africa, this player would not be able to play in the next 10 weeks because of the visa process, and then coming here, and then two weeks of quarantine."
Marc Dos Santos reflected on Hwang's time with Whitecaps FC with satisfaction and acknowledgment.
"We're happy that we kept our word, we prepared him, and I think other young players in the world will know that if they come here, they are going to get minutes and hopefully the can make the jump somewhere else," said the Whitecaps FC head coach. "He came into the Vancouver Whitecaps team that was rebuilding and was in a difficult moment last year that probably didn't allow him to develop to the maximum of his ability. Rubin Kazan is getting a better player than we got. He came from the second division of South Korea, he didn't speak one word of English, he never was in a locker room with so many different nationalities. Now he's leaving Vancouver speaking English, being adaptive to new environments, being ready to go to Russia and adapt right away."
You don't need to look too far to see evidence of Hwang's growth during his time in Vancouver. The relationships he developed with teammates from different backgrounds is a clear example.
"He's a great friend. It's sad to see him go but it's something he said he wanted. He's excited for the next chapter. He's a great teammate for all the guys," said midfielder Russell Teibert. "That's the nature of the business we're in. We wish him the best going forward and try to stay in touch as much as we can."
