Park Chu-young joins Ulsan Hyundai

Park Chu-young poses for a picture wearing the Ulsan Hyundai uniform after Ulsan Hyundai announced on Sunday that Park will be joining the club. [YONHAP]

Park Chu-young, who parted ways with FC Seoul on Dec. 28 after playing with the club for 10 years, has signed with Ulsan Hyundai.

Ulsan Hyundai announced Sunday that Park signed a contract with the club. Park's contract with the Seoul club expired at the end of the 2021 season and Seoul had hoped to bring him back as a coach. Park, however, felt like he wasn't finished on the pitch.

Before Seoul announced Park's departure, Park had himself announced on Dec. 15 on social media that he intended to leave, revealing that after three meetings with the club, he had been offered, and turned down, a position as a youth club coach.

Park joined FC Seoul in 2005 and quickly became a franchise star, winning the Rookie of the Year award after scoring 18 goals. Park's performance on the national team and the Seoul club for four seasons led him to a career overseas. He joined Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2008 where he played until 2011. Later that year, Premier League club Arsenal signed Park, and, after stints in France, England, Spain and Saudi Arabia, Park returned to FC Seoul.

After playing 10 years with the Seoul club, the 37-year-old striker's move to Ulsan seems to be in part due to his close relationship with Ulsan head coach Hong Myung-bo that dates back to the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, 2012 London Olympics and 2014 Brazil World Cup, when Park played in the national team under Hong.

With the Taeguk Warriors, Park scored 24 goals in 68 matches. He appeared in three World Cups: In 2006, 2010 and 2014. He also won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, scoring the winning goal in the bronze medal match against Japan.

"I want to become a better version of myself in my new club and new city," said Park. "I hope to blend in well with the team and play to achieve Ulsan's goal for 2022."

Park will start training with Ulsan in Geoje, south Gyeongsang.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]