Hyeok-kyu Kwon, born on 13 March 2001 in Korea Republic, is a 24-year-old footballing gem. This South Korean boasts a height of 6ft 2in (1.9m) and a weight of 12st 1lb (77kg). A dominant presence in the midfield, primarily in a central defensive role, he now plies his trade for Scottish outfit Hibernian, adorning the number 18 jersey. His current market value hovers around £635k, as reported by Transfermarkt. Kwon's contract, due to run its course on the 31st of May, 2025, adds another month to his tenure with Hibernian.
Before landing in Scotland, Kwon performed his footballing feats in Korea Republic. His professional journey kicked off at Busan I'Park in the K League 2 back in January 2019, culminating in two first-team appearances his debut season. His exploits with Busan saw a gradual incline with 16 appearances and a goal to his name in 2020, followed by a more reduced role with five appearances in 2022. However, Kwon emerged stronger in 2023, making a considerable 20 first team appearances and scoring twice in the league.
In March 2021, Kwon shifted his allegiance to Gimcheon Sangmu in the K League 1 on a loan deal. Here, he featured in 14 matches in his maiden season and 19 in the following season. However, he returned to Busan I'Park in September 2022 upon the completion of his loan spell.
July 2023 saw Kwon bid farewell to Korea Republic to set foot in Scotland. He signed for Celtic for a fee of £860k. His sojourn with the Hoops was short-lived as he moved to St Mirren on loan in January 2024. Despite the short tenure, his presence bolstered the midfield in eight league matches.
Upon his stint at St. Mirren, Kwon returned to Celtic in June 2024. However, his experience at Celtic was a mixed bag. The Scottish giants, recognizing his potential from Korea, brought him into the mix hoping for a midfield stalwart. Adapting to the high-octane Scottish game was a challenge for Kwon despite showing glimpses of his quality.
By August the same year, Kwon found himself making another move within the Scottish Premiership, this time to Hibernian on a loan deal. His current season 2024 - 2025 at the club has seen him feature in 21 league matches, reflecting his integral role in the team's dynamics.
Beyond the league, Kwon also donned the Hibernian colours in the Scottish Cup 2024 - 2025 iteration with one start to his name. A player of Kwon's calibre, with experience in different leagues and ability to adapt, is an asset to any club and certainly worthy of attention for Hibernian fans.
