The transfer window: It’s one of the most exciting parts of being a soccer fan. From following all of the rumors to diving into the stories of your favorite club’s latest signing, this is the time of year that all of the biggest fans get to engage in some gossip, research, and a little bit of fantasizing. What more could you ask for, aside from actually being able to watch the team play?
While I can’t solve the lack of gameplay for you today, I can help make the most of this glorious transfer window. By now, most Loons fans have probably heard that the club has signed two new players: Nicolás Romero and Hoyeon Jung. I’ve taken the liberty of compiling some research for you in one easy article, detailing some career history, playing styles, and more to tell you exactly who these new guys are and how they’re going to fit in with the rest of the Boys in Black and Blue.
Nicolás Romero
Let’s start with the first signing, one Nicolás Romero. The left-footed defender joins the Loons from Atlético Tucumán of the Argentine Primera División, and though he’s just 21 years of age, he brings experience and excitement beyond his years.
After making his professional debut with Tucumán in 2021, Romero established himself as a regular fixture in his club’s back four during the 2023 season. He’s played primarily as a left center back while racking up more than 75 first-team appearances in one of South America’s most competitive leagues, showing the kind of talent and maturity that are typically indicative of a long, successful career.
Romero’s large frame and wealth of experience at such a young age suggest that while he has the skills to slide into the left side of the Loons backline now and make an impact, he will continue to grow in the coming years into an even more effective player. Look to see him feature on the left or middle of the Loons’ back three, or generally on the left side of the defense, depending on formation.
Fans may recognize Atlético Tucumán from MNUFC’s last inbound transfer from Argentina, as Joaquín Pereyra joined from the very same club. The two were teammates for the better part of four years, bringing an added element of chemistry building to the current project.
Hoyeon Jung
The second signing of the window moves us up the pitch into the midfield, where Loons fans will now have the privilege of watching Hoyeon Jung control the middle of the park. The 24-year-old South Korean midfielder offers a flexible, hardworking option to pair with an already effective midfield core, with experience playing as both an eight and a six.
After more than 100 appearances for Gwangju FC in his native South Korea, Jung brings a unique cocktail of experience with him to Minnesota. He helped Gwangju earn promotion in 2022, appearing in 36 games in the second division and maintaining his spot when the club made the jump to K League 1 in 2023. Not only did he keep his spot, but he also earned K League Young Player of the Year honors in his first season playing at the top level. Add in several appearances in the AFC Champions League and a cap with the South Korean National Team in March 2024, and Jung’s résumé has all the makings of a future star.
The game isn’t played on paper, though, so let’s look beyond the résumé. Jung is known for his workrate, a trait that Loons fans have had the privilege of benefitting from thanks to Hassani Dotson and Wil Trapp the last few seasons. Jung will fit right in with the current crew, adding an above-average ability to cover ground and connect the field through his movement and passing. He’s got an engine, he’s versatile, and he’s physical. If that’s not the perfect recipe for a center mid, I don’t know what is.
Both players are joining MNUFC from the clubs they made their professional debuts with, meaning that this will be their first experience in new environments. It’s always worth maintaining some degree of cautious optimism when young, international players make the jump to MLS. If the respective starts to their soccer careers are anything to go by, though, it seems likely that Romero and Jung will be able to make a difference once they get their feet under them in this exciting next step in their journeys.
