Former Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn joins Gwangju FC in South Korea
Tuesday 4 July 2017 10:49, UK
Former Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn has joined Gwangju FC in South Korea.
The Northern Ireland international had been tipped for a move to English football but has now confirmed that he has opted for the Far East instead.
A link with K-League club Gwangju came about because the father of McGinn's former Celtic team-mate Ki Sung-yueng is the club's president.
McGinn said: "I am absolutely delighted to have signed for Gwangju FC.
"Since I met the club president a few weeks ago in Belfast I have been researching Asian football and Korean football in particular. I have been very impressed with what I have discovered.
"This is new, exciting challenge for me one that is very different to anything I have experienced in my career to date."
McGinn paid tribute to the fans and staff of Aberdeen who helped him make the most of his five years on Deeside.
"When I joined Aberdeen in 2012 I had no idea of the great times that lay ahead," he added.
"I want to thank Craig Brown, Archie Knox, Derek McInnes and Tony Doherty. I also want to thank all other staff at the club.
"The fans at Aberdeen also deserve immense credit and thanks. They took me to their hearts and I took them to mine. I will always be an Aberdeen fan.
"I am looking forward to continuing my career at Gwangju FC. I am the first Irish player ever to have signed for a Korean club.
"I will give this club the same effort and commitment I have given my other clubs to date and I'm sure I will pick up a few words of Korean along the way."
McGinn had previously played for Derry City, Celtic and Brentford. He made his debut for Northern Ireland in 2008 and has gone on to make 50 international appearances.
