League Cup winner Ki Sung-Yueng was back at Swansea City this week having played a part in the club’s summer move for fellow South Korean Eom Ji-Sung.
Midfielder Ki is still playing in his homeland for FC Seoul, though the 35-year-old is looking ahead to a coaching career.
Ki spent six years on Swansea’s books, making 162 appearances and scoring 12 goals between 2012 and 2018 and helping the club to Wembley glory in 2013.
Ki is studying his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales, and had a chat with Luke Williams as part of a documentary he is making about his route into coaching.
But there was also time for a catch-up with Eom, who joined Swansea from South Korean side Gwangju FC in July.
Williams has explained the key role first-team coach Kristian O’Leary played in Eom’s arrival – and how Ki had a hand in the transfer too.
“Kris O’Leary in particular was watching some games to keep his eye out for that type of player and he saw Eom,” the Swansea head coach said.
“Kris came to me and said ‘I think you should look at this player’. I watched him and said this ‘looks like a really talented boy, let’s find out about him’.
“It’s one thing finding out about British players because you know people. Finding out about a Korean player is much more difficult.
“Kris said ‘leave it with me’. He spoke to Ki and came back with some unbelievable information which helped us hugely to get the deal done.”
Eom has made an impressive start to life at Swansea, despite being sidelined for around six weeks by a knee injury before he returned to action in last weekend’s draw with Portsmouth.
He will hope to force himself back into Williams’ starting line-up when Swansea go to Luton Town on Saturday.
