2025 Season Preview: Suwon FC | OneFootball

Suwon FC enter the 2025 season under a thick cloud of uncertainty following a raft of key departures in the last six months, poor recruitment, and a mediocre run of form that's likely to bleed into the new year given the squad reshuffle. Relegation is a major possibility but to their credit, Suwon have consistently found ways of playing above themselves. Can they do it all over again?

Last Season

15 wins, 8 draws, 15 losses, 53 points. 5th in K League 1.

What Happened?

Rather incredibly, Suwon FC finished 5th last season, ahead of defending Korean Cup winners Pohang Steelers, highly-fancied Daejeon Hana Citizen, and a certain team from Jeonju with the most titles in K League history. Only five points separated Suwon from a spot in the Champions League Elite play-off round. It was a major success considering the club almost went down in 2023 and responded to that with major changes on and off the field. In week 8, Suwon climbed into the top 6 and never left. Four weeks before the split, they were third following a brilliant win over back-to-back champions Ulsan HD in Munsu.

That win was followed by a 5-0 demolition of Jeju United on August 25th. There were whisperings about a title challenge or, at the very least, a push for a continental place. Unfortunately, Suwon would only win once more (on November 9th) to close out their season. How did find themselves in 3rd to begin with? For starters, new manager Kim Eun-jung shored up a defense that conceded a whopping 76 in 2023. An Joon-su was recruited from Jeonnam Dragons as the team's new goalkeeper, alongside centre-backs Kim Tae-han and Kwon Kyung-won. Even though Suwon leaked 57 goals, a large number came in the final weeks, including the 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. They were also guided by the genius of new signing Anderson Oliveira, and Lee Seung-woo's knack of winning games late on.

Kwon was one of three crucial summer departures that inevitably stalled their season. The 32-times capped defender brought his wealth of experience to UAE and Khor Fakkan. Son Jun-ho, anther national team player, had his contract rescinded not long after joining the club. And, perhaps most damaging, fan favorite Lee Seung-woo left Castle Park for Jeonju Castle. Lee was the club's top scorer for the previous two seasons, and on course to make it a hat-trick, before he took his skills to the Jeonbuk bench. Ultimately, Suwon's small squad was incapable of dealing with the loss of three key players, and results and confidence suffered as a result.

Jeong Seung-won (out, FC Seoul).

Whilst not unexpected, Jeong's departure for FC Seoul will be a bitter blow for Suwon FC and their supporters. The versatile midfielder, who can play in numerous positions, turns 28 this month as he approaches the peak of his career. He chipped in with 11 goals last season, thereby becoming Suwon's most likely source of goals after Lee Seung-woo's departure. The double offensive departures heap more pressure on Anderson to keep Suwon afloat in 2025.

Mohamed Ofkir (in, Vålerenga).

The Oslo born left winger arrives on a season-long loan from Vålerenga in the Norwegian top flight. It'll be interesting to see if Ofkir can fill some of the gaps left by Lee Seung-woo, Jeong Seung-won, and Lars Veldwijk in recent seasons. Ofkir is right-footed and is comfortable on either flank or playing as a lone striker. At Sandefjord, Ofkir scored 23 and assisted 14 in 88 appearances. The level is a drop down on K League 1, but the figures are promising.

Leroy Abanda (in, OFI Crete).

Suwon went heavy on full back recruitment over the winter, including Frenchman Leroy Abanda. As a career left-back, Suwon might look to link up Abanda and Ofkir down that side of the pitch. Abanda is young (24) but he has sampled a significant amount of football outside of his homeland, and arrives in Suwon from Greece. He was previously on the books at Monaco and AC Milan, and has represented his country at underage level.

The magic man. Anderson is a player of such immense quality that even if the rest of the team is struggling, he gives them hope of snatching a point from near certain defeat. The 26-year-old is approaching the peak of his career and if he can replicate what he did last season, the queue of suitors with be longer than Suwon's famed Fortress. The Brazilian scored seven times and provided 14 assists (the most in the league) in his debut season. Not only that, but Anderson is incredibly durable. He made all 38 matchday squads, starting 31 times. He was an easy pick for Team of the Season but to many K League observers, he was robbed of the MVP award. Suwon fans can enjoy another season of the blistering quick left winger, cutting in off his flank, and taking on opposition defenses. The question is, though; who will he be able to pass to?

Young Player to Watch

Jang Young-woo

22-year-old Incheon-born full back Jang Young-woo had two seasons of solid work under his belt at then-K3 outfit Hwaseong FC (where he won the title) before Suwon FC took a gamble last spring. He made his debut off the bench in round 5 against Pohang Steelers and scored his first professional goal in round 16 against Incheon United. His instinctive finish, collecting an undercooked back pass, wrapped up a 3-1 win for his team. In total, Jang made 26 appearances in his first season (13 in the starting XI) at K League 1 level. Despite being a right footer, Jang saw more action at left back than he did on the right side of Suwon's defense. He also lined up in right midfield for his club. To gain more experience, Jang was linked with a winter move to Chungbuk Cheongju but Suwon decided to keep him around. How much football he plays this season is unclear as Suwon invested strongly in defenders and full backs in the winter transfer window.

Biggest Question

Is there enough quality in the squad to prolong their stay in K League 1?

The simple answer, before a ball has been kicked, is no. On paper, their foreign recruitment shows promise but we won't know until they've done it on a cold Tuesday night in Gimcheon. If some (or all) of these players fail to settle adequately, Suwon will be in massive trouble. What we do know is Suwon have been ravaged by key departures in the past year; departures that have robbed them of genuine K League and international experience. The domestic winter recruitment looks muddled; 21 incoming players, nearly half of whom arrive from underage teams or universities. There are plenty of defenders, but none look to be in a position to stake a claim for spot in the starting eleven.

Then there's the teams who are likely to feature in the bottom half. FC Anyang are an unknown force at this level but apart from Anderson and goalkeeper An, it is difficult to imagine too many Suwon players breaking into their starting team. Jeonbuk Hyundai will be nowhere near the relegation spots, Daejeon Hana likewise. Suwon will be looking to Ji Dong-won, who scored just six in 36 appearances last term, to score the goals necessary to preserve their status. On the bright side, Yoon Bitgaram is back for another year. At 32, Yoon oozes class and will be one of the creative forces in the team. Keeping him fit and sharp is imperative.

Reason to Watch

Suwon were one of two (possibly three) fairytale stories last season. Alongside Gangwon FC, Suwon dismissed fears of relegation early in the year, climbed the table, and, at one point, were in a genuine title battle. The wheels fell off after overcoming the long wait for a win in Ulsan, but it didn't matter. They not only survived, but deservedly finished in Final A. That followed the desperate 2023 season when Suwon avoided relegation, initially, on goals scored, and then overturned a two-goal aggregate deficit with 12 minutes to play versus Busan IPark. Suwon FC are a small market team with low attendances in an outdated stadium (great floodlights, though). They are K League 1's ultimate underdog.