Professional football K League 1 Daejeon Hana Citizen has signed a professional contract with 17-year-old forward Kim Hyeon-o.
Daejeon Hana Citizen announced on the 25th that it signed a professional contract with Kim Hyeon-o, who was part of the club's U-18 team (Chungnam Machinery Technical High School), five months after signing a semi-professional contract in February. This marks the second time in the club's history that a professional contract has been signed during the semi-professional period, following Yoon Do-young (Brighton).
Kim Hyeon-o joined the Daejeon U-15 team and became part of the youth system. Currently, he is a member of the U-18 team and has set the record as the youngest goal-scorer in the club's history.
Kim Hyeon-o made his debut in the home game against FC Anyang in the 11th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2025, held on May 3, scoring with a header in the 36th minute of the first half. He recorded his debut goal in his first K League 1 match. At the age of 17 years, 7 months, and 21 days, he became the youngest goal-scorer in Daejeon club history. The record for the youngest goal-scorer in K League history is held by Lee Hyun-seung, who was 17 years, 4 months, and 26 days old in May 2006.
Kim Hyeon-o said, "I am very happy to officially become a professional player, but I think this is just the beginning," and added, "I have bigger goals and dreams, so I will not be satisfied here and will always remain humble, striving to grow day by day."