Hyeok-kyu Kwon, born on 13 March 2001 in the Republic of Korea, at the age of 23, can primarily be seen playing the midfield, more specifically as a central defensive midfielder, for Hibernian. His physical attributes are quite notable; standing tall at 6ft 2in (1.9m) and weighing 12st 1lb (77kg), he's indeed an imposing figure on the field. Adding his credibility, he wears the number 18 jersey.
The current market value of Kwon rounds up to approximately £640k, as stated by Transfermarkt. His stint with Hibernian is expected to come to a conclusion on 31 May 2025, with his contract set to expire in around 4 months.
Kwon ventured into his football career by joining Busan I'Park in the K League 2 in the Republic of Korea in January 2019. His initial run with the team was quite experimental as he made only two first-team appearances in league matches. Gradually, his game saw an uplift in 2020, the following season, where he made 16 first-team appearances and even scored one goal. However, in 2022 and 2023, his appearances fluctuated, making five and 20 first team appearances respectively.
In an interesting turn of events in March 2021, Kwon was loaned to Gimcheon Sangmu in the K League 1 in his home country. This move saw him participate in 14 and 19 first-team league matches during the 2021 and 2022 seasons respectively. By September 2022, he made his return back to Busan I'Park upon the completion of his loan.
Kwon's journey then saw him being transferred from Busan I'Park to Celtic, in Scotland's Premiership, for a fee rounding up to about £860k in July 2023. The next chapter of his career saw him being loaned to St Mirren, also in Scotland's Premiership in January 2024, where he made eight first-team appearances.
Upon completing his term with St Mirren, Kwon returned to Celtic once again by June 2024. Within a span of two months, by August 2024, he was loaned to Hibernian, still within the Premiership. In the current season, 2024-2025, Kwon showcases a fairly impressive record with 21 first-team appearances under his belt.
Furthermore, he has also taken part in the Scottish Cup 2024-2025 for Hibernian with one start.
Regarding his tenure with Celtic, the time was brief, but noteworthy. His transfer to the club, for a sum of £860k showcased the change in pace and competition that Kwon was ready to take on. Although his time there was mainly marked by loans to other clubs, firstly to St Mirren and then eventually Hibernian, Kwon's potential was apparent. Kwon's transfer to St Mirren was notably met with an increment in his first team appearances, hinting at his progressing adaptability to the Scottish Premiership. His eventual return to Celtic was short-lived as he was swiftly loaned to Hibernian; however, these multiple transfers indicate his demand and potential in the Premiership league.
