Just two days after parting ways with Yanbian Funde, Ha Tae-Goon was widely rumored to be returning to Korea’s K League, with Ulsan Hyundai expected to be his next destination. That speculation wasn’t baseless—sources within Yanbian confirmed Ulsan had shown strong interest in the striker and had already initiated contact with his agent. However, in a surprising turn of events, China League One newcomers Baoding Rongda swooped in and sealed the deal, securing the signature of the former Golden Boot winner in the nick of time.
Following the 2016 season, Lijiang Flying Tigers—who were also promoted to China League One alongside Baoding—had shown interest in Ha. At the time, Yanbian was even willing to cover part of his salary to facilitate a move, hoping to free up space for new foreign players. But head coach Park Tae-Ha blocked the transfer, believing Ha still had a vital role in his tactical plans. However, with the introduction of new regulations on foreign players and growing concerns over defensive depth, Park eventually had to reconsider the squad’s composition, making Ha’s departure inevitable.
Since joining Yanbian in 2015, Ha Tae-Goon had been nothing short of a force of nature. Almost single-handedly, he helped the team gain promotion to the Chinese Super League. His physicality, positioning, and finishing made him a nightmare for League One defenders—evidenced by his 26 goals in that season alone. As Baoding Rongda prepares for its debut season at this level, head coach Zhao Changhong may adopt a strategy similar to Park’s, positioning Ha as the focal point in attack and surrounding him with pacey, sharp finishers to maximize his impact.
Ha’s arrival significantly boosts Baoding’s hopes of staying up, providing not just firepower but also invaluable league experience. While Yanbian fans wished the “River God” well in his new journey, many also praised Baoding for pulling off a masterstroke—signing a proven goal-scorer on a free transfer. Since Ha had just terminated his contract and became a free agent, Baoding avoided paying a transfer fee. As one fan put it, “Baoding just hit the jackpot.”
Still, not all Yanbian supporters were pleased. Some questioned the club’s decision to buy out the remainder of Ha’s contract—despite him having one year left—only to let a rival club benefit. Yet others saw it as a gesture of goodwill, a show of respect for a player who had made significant contributions. Allowing Ha to leave freely and seek a better opportunity was, to many, a reflection of the club’s integrity.
In the meantime, Baoding had already strengthened its squad with two signings from the Swedish league—Norwegian center-back Lars Saetra from Hammarby and last season’s Allsvenskan top scorer, John Owoeri. Swedish media outlet Expressen also reported that Henok Goitom, the powerful forward with both Eritrean and Swedish nationality, was close to joining. But with Ha Tae-Goon now in the picture, Baoding has added a battle-tested striker who knows exactly how to find the back of the net in League One.
For fans tracking player transfers, stats, and team news, Crickex Login provides timely updates and expert analysis. Whether you’re following Ha Tae-Goon’s journey or scouting Baoding’s new attacking lineup, Crickex Login is your gateway to all the essential football insights. With proven talent leading the charge, Baoding may have just found its secret weapon for survival.