I wasn't fancied by Brendan Rodgers, now I'm one of the hottest prospects in Turkey |
The ex-Celtic striker who is making waves in Turkey
Being the supposed long-term successor to Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi was always going to be a tall order for Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea.
Signed from Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2023 by Ange Postecoglou, the striker arrived at Celtic as Postecoglou's final transfer, joining for a fee of around £2.5million.
Despite featuring as Kyogo's deputy, following Giakoumakis' exit to Atlanta United, the young forward could never hold down a regular place in the starting line-up, particularly under Brendan Rodgers' management.
Though he had a hand in some big goals, including strikes against Hearts, Hibernian and St Mirren, the January 2024 arrival of Adam Idah effectively signalled the end of Oh's time as a main option through the middle - finishing on 12 goals in 47 total appearances.
While Celtic remained in very public negotiations with Norwich City over Idah's permanent signature, their South Korean striker was shipped off to Belgium, joining Genk on a four-year deal.
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Since then, to the admitted surprise of many in Scotland, Oh's career has skyrocketed, despite a modest goal return following him to Belgium (22 goals in 73 games).
Subject to big-money interest from Stuttgart after Nick Woltemade's move to Newcastle United last August, he would take his medical frustrations out on Rangers, scoring the winner in Genk's 1-0 victory over Russell Martin's side the following month.
His decent form would prompt Turkish giants Besiktas to part with €14million, a fee that is looking like more of a bargain with every passing game.
With four goals in just seven appearances, Oh has become Istanbul's latest talismanic figure, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen and Anderson Talisca of Fenerbahce fame.
While only Yang Hyun-jun remains from Celtic's 2023 South Korean recruitment drive, Oh's career seems to have the highest trajectory at present.
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