Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn Jung-hwan (, or ; born 27 January 1976) is a South Korean former football player and television personality.

Ahn played for South Korea as a second striker and scored a total of three goals in two FIFA World Cups, including a golden goal against Italy.

After his retirement as a footballer, he became a television host and a football commentator.

Ahn was selected for South Korean under-20 team for the 1994 AFC Youth Championship.

Three years later, he also played the 1997 Summer Universiade for South Korean Universiade team, winning a silver medal.

In 1998, Ahn started his professional career in a K League club Busan Daewoo Royals.

He was selected as one of the K League Best XI in that year after showing great performance as soon as he went there.

The next year, in 1999, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player by leading his team to finish as a runner-up in the K League.

In 2000, Ahn joined Perugia on loan, becoming the first South Korean footballer to play in Italy's Serie A.

However, he was ostracised by the team's captain Marco Materazzi and teammates.

He made 30 appearances (including 13 starts) and five goals for two Serie A seasons in a racist environment.

Afterwards, he was named in South Korean squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosted by his country.

In a group match against the United States, Ahn imitated a speed skater during his goal celebration after scoring the equaliser in order to protest the controversial disqualification of Korean short track speed skater Kim Dong-sung in the 1500 metres at the 2002 Winter Olympics, which allowed American Apolo Ohno to win the gold medal.

During the round of 16 against Italy, Ahn missed a penalty, but later scored a golden goal in extra-time from a header that sent the South Koreans through to the quarter-finals.

The next day, Perugia owner Luciano Gaucci cancelled his contract and was quoted as saying, "I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football" due to the fact of the controversial and arguable win of the South Korean side.

Gaucci stated that his decision was not due to the goal, alleging comments by Ahn about the Italian nation.

However, Gaucci later took back what he had said, and approved the £1.2 million option to sign Ahn on a permanent basis.

Ahn rejected the offer of a three-year contract and refused to turn up for pre-season training despite Perugia claiming ownership of his registration, saying "I will no longer discuss my transfer to Perugia, who attacked my character instead of congratulating me for a goal in the World Cup."

Busan Daewoo Royals also claimed that they had not been paid by Perugia.

A number of European clubs were interested in Ahn, but gave up on him due to his conflict with Perugia.

Finally, FIFA forced Perugia's hand by concluding Ahn had to pay Perugia $3.5 million to compensate for their damage in the transfer market, and so he contracted with a Japanese entertainment company, the Professional Management (PM), to pay off his debts.

He spent his important period as a J1 League player and an entertainer for three years.

After a successful spell in Japan, Ahn returned to Europe to play for French Ligue 1 team Metz in July 2005 and scored two goals in 16 outings.

In January 2006, Ahn was invited to train with Blackburn Rovers but twice failed to show up, one of the dates being his birthday.

In February, he secured a 17-month deal with a Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg to adapt to the environment of Germany, the host of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Ahn scored two goals in 12 outings, and his club was relegated from the Bundesliga.

He was interested in a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League, but it fell through.

Ahn was selected for the South Korean squad for the 2006 World Cup.

He scored the winning goal after coming off the bench during the second half of the South Korean opening match, where they beat Togo 2–1.

Thus, he became the Asian all-time scoring leader at the World Cup with three goals.

He was released by Duisburg after the World Cup, and returned to South Korea, joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal in January 2007.

Ahn scored a hat-trick in a game of the 2007 Korean League Cup against Daejeon Citizen.

However, his poor performance became longer, and he was left out of the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

In 2008, Ahn returned to Busan IPark, formerly Busan Daewoo Royals.

In March 2009, Ahn signed a three-month contract with Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide.

He steadily improved his game and overall performances and, for the first time in 22 months, was recalled to the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifications match against Jordan.

He became the key player in the club and extended his contract to December 2010 with Dalian Shide in June, though J2 League club Oita Trinita had an intention to sign him.

He was promoted to Dalian's captain in the 2010 season.

Ahn officially announced his retirement on 30 January 2012.

A quick and energetic player.