Daejeon Hana Citizen to wear Puma kits from 2024 season

K League 1 team Daejeon Hana Citizen signed a two-year partnership deal with Puma on Tuesday. The German brand will be the official supplier for the club’s uniforms and training kits through 2025.

Borussia Dortmund legend Kevin Grosskreutz to attend Puma event in Seoul

The deal comes as Daejeon proved that it can compete as a strong competitor in the first division, finishing in eighth place on the 12-team table despite earning promotion to the top tier just this year.

Daejeon, led by manager Lee Min-sung, showed a solid performance this season even against stronger competitors like league winners Ulsan Hyundai and fourth-place Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, beating both sides 2-1 in April.

“I thank Puma Korea and DIF Korea who made this partnership possible,” Daejeon Sporting Director Kim Won-taek said in a press release Tuesday. “The brand worth that Puma has will likely be a great aid to the club. I ask for our fans’ attention, as we are planning various marketing initiatives.”

Puma’s involvement in Korean football is nothing new, as it has held multiple in-person events in the country, including a jersey exhibition in October with former Borussia Dortmund player Kevin Grosskreutz in Seoul through which Korean football fans saw the German club’s jerseys by season and met the club legend. The Pohang Steelers, who finished the 2023 season in second place, also wear Puma kits.

Daejeon will reveal its new Puma kit in February next year.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]