Kim To Replace Sokolova?

We hope the reports are true!

Kim Yeon Koung is reportedly getting an offer from Fenerbahce Acibadem to take Lioubov Sokolova’s spot next season.

In case you didn’t know, Sokolova is going to play in Russia and will most likely play for Dinamo Moscow – to be confirmed in the next few days.

Who is Kim?

Kim Yeon Koung, 23, is an outside hitter from Korea who is perhaps the Gamova of Asia. At such a very young age, Kim is Korea’s most decorated player within the last few years. She has won a few league titles in her country & won the MVP award for 3 years in a row (2006, 2007 & 2008) before moving to Japan to play for JT Marvelous (2009-present).

Although her international success with Korea is not as spectacular as her individual accomplishments but over the years Kim has proven herself as one of Asia’s scoring machines.

During the preliminary round at the 2010 World Championship, Kim was her team’s most effective and most reliable weapon. Kim and Team started the tournament strongly but started to lose gas during crucial matches and finished 13th out of 24 teams.

Kim also had a heartbreaking tournament at the 2010 Asian Games wherein her team was just one point away from winning the GOLD but suddenly ruined their chances and Kim in particular was left crying. Click THIS to watch the match and for more info.

Is she a good choice?

We think she’s a great choice to replace Sokolova! Kim is an all around player, a fighter and talented.

Knowing that Fenerbahce is the defending champs of the Turkish League, there are big shoes to fill and there’s a lot of pressure to deal with but no doubt she can handle it. The only problem we see is that Kim’s volleyball style is different – her Asian stlye vs European style – but for sure Coach Roberto Guimaraes can fix it.

Also, Kim is not yet a well known figure in Turkey and in Europe so the response from the fans might be a little different compared to how they welcomed and loved Sokolova even if she played not too good at the semis of the Champions League but for sure fans will eventually adore her.

Fenerbahce is expected to announce their new foreign players in the coming days so let’s wait and see.

Thoughts?

(images: FIVB)