After being hit by a drunk driver in a car accident, Jeju goalkeeper Yoo Yeon-soo of the K League 1 (first division) of professional soccer is finally hanging up his jersey. The decision was made after a year of rehabilitation following surgery, which proved difficult. Yoo is 25 years old.
“Yoo Yeon-soo, who was seriously injured in an unexpected car accident a year ago and has been devoting himself to rehabilitation, is standing in front of fans after a long time,” the Jeju club announced on social media on Aug. 8. “In fact, we are sadly saying goodbye to him as a player.” In October of last year, Yoo was traveling with his teammates in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island, when he was hit by a car that was driving negatively. Yoo was the most injured of the car’s passengers. The accident left him a paraplegic, and while he has been undergoing rehabilitation, he decided to retire at an early age. “I think he decided that he couldn’t play anymore,” said a Jeju club official.
Yoo made his professional debut in 2020 for Jeju, who were in the second division at the time. Although he was not the team’s starting goalkeeper, he was recognized as a promising player as he developed his skills as a backup goalkeeper. Jeju kept Yoo’s jersey number 31 this season, and even called out his name during player introductions. However, Yoo was unable to return to the field and decided to say goodbye in front of the fans. 토토사이트
“After the accident, I was more sad about not being able to play soccer than I was about not being able to walk,” Yoo said through the club, adding, “There are sports for the disabled, so I’m going to try basketball, table tennis, fencing, and other sports.” Jeju decided to hold Yoo’s retirement ceremony on the field after halftime of the K League 1 home game against Seoul at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Nov. 11. An autograph session will be held at 3:30 p.m., one hour before kickoff, next to the stadium’s ticket office.
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