Jung Ho-yeon
- Years with club: 2025–present
- Position: Central Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder
- Nationality: South Korean
- Acquisition: Signed from Gwangju FC (South Korea) on February 1, 2025
Jung Ho-yeon is a promising South Korean central midfielder who joined Minnesota United FC ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. He arrived from the K League 1, where he had been named the K League 1 Young Player of the Year in 2023. Known for his athleticism, high work rate, and ability to link defense and offense, he was signed to a three-year contract to bolster the Loons’ midfield.
Key stats with Minnesota United (as of mid-2025 season):
- MLS regular season appearances: 4 (1 start)
- Goals (all competitions): 0
- Assists (all competitions): 0
- MNUFC2 appearances (MLS Next Pro): 2
- Contract status: Under contract through December 2027, with a club option for 2028.
- Player category: International and U22 Initiative player.
Memorable moments and honors:
- K League Young Player of the Year: He was the recipient of the prestigious award in South Korea’s top division in 2023.
- Asian Games champion: He was a member of the South Korea U-23 team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games (played in 2023), an achievement that grants him military service privileges.
- South Korean international: He has earned call-ups to the South Korea senior national team, making his debut in a World Cup qualifier in March 2024.
- Korean duo: He and fellow South Korean forward Jeong Sang-bin were the first pair of South Korean players to be on the same MLS roster simultaneously.
Where is he now?:
- Jung Hoyeon is currently an active central midfielder for Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer (MLS).
- Unfortunately, in the middle of his debut 2025 season, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
- He is currently recovering from the injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. He remains contracted with the club through the 2027 season.
