Remember the Euros 'Viking,' Martin Adam? He could be getting axed in Korea

Football

Published: 02 Jul. 2024, 16:42

Remember the Euros 'Viking,' Martin Adam? He could be getting axed in Korea

Ulsan HD striker Martin Adam, center, cheers after scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Oct. 8, 2022. [K LEAGUE]

Martin Adam, the burly Hungarian striker who went viral at the Euros, is rumored to be on his way out of Korea, according to Korean outlet Footballist on Tuesday.

On the Euros' opening weekend, fans dubbed Adam, a forward for Ulsan HD, an “absolute unit,” with posters comparing him to an actor in a Viking movie or a bouncer at a nightclub among other troupes that went viral online.

Ulsan, back-to-back K League 1 champions, are reportedly negotiating the end of Adam's contract — cutting it two years short, Footballist reported Tuesday citing an unnamed source.

The club paid a $1.2 million transfer fee to bring Adam over to Ulsan from the top-tier Hungarian league’s Paksi FC in July 2022 on a four-year deal. It remains the most the club has spent on a foreign player since the K League established its current two-tier format in 2013.

Adam made his Ulsan debut in August 2022, starting as a center forward, and has scored a total of 10 goals in the K League 1. But the Hungarian saw his playing time drop after the club brought in veteran striker Joo Min-kyu.

Ulsan is said to be bringing in 24-year-old Yago Cariello on a loan deal from Portuguese side Portimonense, according to Footballist. Cariello in June wrapped up a yearlong stint at fellow K League 1 side Gangwon FC, where he's scored nine goals and recorded two assists over 18 league appearances in the 2024 season.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]