FC Porto signs South Korean midfielder Hwang Inbeom from Feyenoord for €4.5 million until 2029

FC Porto confirmed the signing of South Korean international midfielder Hwang Inbeom on Monday, securing the 29-year-old from Dutch side Feyenoord on a contract running until 2029 with an option for an additional season. The deal, announced via an official club statement, was completed for a fixed fee of €4.5 million, plus a maximum of €500,000 in variable payments tied to performance objectives. Feyenoord will assume responsibility for the solidarity mechanism owed to third parties, and Porto incurred no intermediary service charges.

The player's journey to Porto

Hwang arrived in Porto on Sunday night and completed medical tests before signing his contract on Monday. The move ends a two-season spell in Rotterdam where he made 24 appearances last term, scoring once and providing four assists. His European career has also included stints at Rubin Kazan in Russia, Olympiacos in Greece, and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. He began his career at hometown club Daejeon Citizen, debuted in the South Korean first division at 18, and later completed military service with Asan Mugunghwa FC, winning the second division title. A brief spell with Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS preceded his move to Russia.

First words as a Dragon

Speaking to the club's media channels, Hwang expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge and revealed his wife's influence on the decision.

I am very excited to sign for FC Porto, one of the best clubs in the world. It is a great honour to represent this club and this city because I really like Porto. Last Christmas I was here with my family, we were in Lisbon and Porto, and my wife immediately said she liked Porto more than Lisbon. She really said that, I'm not lying.

He joked that his wife holds 60% of the decision-making power in the household, leaving him with just 40%, and credited her preference for the city as a key factor in accepting the offer. After a long journey, he said stepping into the Estádio do Dragão immediately revived his energy.

Playing style and ambitions

Hwang described himself as a player who gives everything on the pitch, even when exhausted, and who constantly pushes beyond his limits in every training session and match. He voiced eagerness to play in front of the Porto supporters as soon as possible. The midfielder, who will wear the number 16 shirt, joins goalkepeer João Afonso and forward André Silva as the club's third signing for the 2026/27 season.

We were champions last season and our goal is to keep the trophy here in the city. I hope to help the team in that mission, which starts today at the training centre.

International pedigree

Hwang has been a South Korean international since 2018, earning 77 caps after being brought into the national team by Portuguese coach Paulo Bento. He participated in two World Cups, most recently at the 2026 tournament where he scored a goal and provided an assist in the 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic. Despite South Korea's group-stage exit, his individual performances drew attention. The midfielder noted that his agents are Portuguese and that Bento's trust in him gave him a positive impression of Portuguese people, which he expects to maintain at his new club.