FC Koln sign ‘Asian Rooney’

FC Koln have completed the signing of striker Jong Tae-Se from Bochum, the German club revealed on their official website.

The Bundesliga side decided to act after star striker Lukas Podolski picked up a serious injury and they have now signed the North Korean striker for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old, who is also known as ‘Asian Rooney’, has thus been given a chance to prove his worth at the highest level.

“Jong Tae-Se is precisely the kind of player we were looking for,” said Koln’s sporting director Volker Finke on his club’s website. “He is extremely strong in the air and has a good goalscoring instinct.

“We are pleased that we have been able to agree a transfer of Jong Tae-se from Bochum and that we have been able to gain additional quality for our attack.

“We have been watching the player for a long time and we are convinced of his qualities as a striker.”

The North Korean made a name for himself in the Japanese league, playing for Kawasaki Frontale, and he signed for Bochum after the impressive showing for North Korea at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Tae-Se scored the total of 14 goals in 39 Bundesliga 2 appearances, but he never quite managed to show his full potential at Bochum.

The 27-year-old is considered one of the best players in North Korea national team and has 15 goals in 28 caps for his country.