I have mastered my
skills and personality. Jeju United (hereafter referred to as Jeju) has recruited Hayes (30), a Brazilian striker who played for Gwangju FC.
Hays made his professional stage debut in 2012 in Clubby du Hemu (2012–2016). Since then he has been active in Brazil until 2020. He went through Atletico Goianiensi (2012, loan), Boa EC (2017), Villanova FC (2018), Crisiuma EC (2019), AD Conpiansa (2020).
Hayes, who chose a new challenge, joined Gwangju FC in the K-League 1 at the time in 2021. Even in his first overseas transfer, he played impressively, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists in 30 appearances, including the FA Cup. In the 2022 season, it peaked in the K-League 2.
He played in a total of 39 matches, including the FA Cup, and scored 12 goals and 4 assists, leading Gwangju FC’s promotion to the first division. The 2022 K League 2 Adidas Points released by the Korea Professional Football Federation also recorded a total of 60,979 points, ranking 1st overall and 1st midfielder in K League 2.
Hayes, who has a solid physique of 175cm and 73kg, is a side striker with strong speed and excellent space penetration. He also has the ability to calmly finish and create opportunities, so he is a multiplayer who can play as an attacking midfielder and even a second striker depending on his tactical changes.
Offensive capabilities have already been proven. However, there is another part that director Nam Ki-il paid attention to. It is to change the flow of the game with an active defensive participation and a pass that utilizes the position of a colleague. In fact, Hayes scored more than 10,000 points in both the passing (13,626 points) and defense (13,350 points) categories in Adidas points.
Coach Nam Ki-il expressed his anticipation, saying, “Hayes is a player who contributes not only to offense but also to defense. When such a player is added, his tactical perfection is further enhanced.” In response, Hayes said, “The team is more important than the individual. Doing well on the team is the most important task for me. This is what the coach wants,” he said.
Hayes stands out even more because he has integrated into the team as a true member of Jeju. Recruited players who take on new challenges in Jeju in the 2023 season will be with dream soccer players dreaming of future professional soccer players in Jeju. Prior to the announcement of the recruitment, the players directly visit Jeju Island’s school soccer teams as well as soccer prospects who have visited Jeju Island for off-season training to participate in team training. The so-called ‘Dream Tree Official’.
Hayes also showed extraordinary teamwork in ‘Dream Tree Official’. In particular, Yuri, who is also from Brazil and is a new foreign player, has stepped up to adapt. Hayes visited the Jeju U-12 youth team and conducted the ‘Dream Tree Official’, and he accompanied Yuri. Yuri held the ‘Dream Tree Official’ in Hwabuk-cho earlier, but she held onto Yuri’s hand for faster adaptation and closer contact with the region.
Hayes directly participated in training for the Jeju U-12 youth team and shed tears of sweat for the future of Jeju. He directly encouraged the players in Korean, such as “Let’s go, let’s go,” and brought smiles to the parents who were watching. After training, he held an impromptu fan signing event with Yuri. Hays communicated not only with the players but also with parents, capturing the fans’ hearts with a truly professional appearance.
Could it be because of Hayes’ efforts? Yuri also quickly melted into the new environment. Hayes did not hesitate to give advice to Yuri about Korean sentiment and culture, and Yuri is also improving her understanding of and adaptability to Korea thanks to Hayes’ advice. To express his gratitude, Yuri approached Hayes, who was working hard to sign her autograph, and showed her respect by saying “Please autograph” in Korean. 토토
The players and parents who watched this raised their thumbs up with bright smiles, saying that they are players worthy of the ‘Eastern Country of Courtesy’. The Jeju U-12 youth team also prepared a special gift (?). Knowing that Hays really likes Neymar, he even gave him a new nickname, ‘Heymar (Hays + Neymar)’. Impressed by this, Hays gathered the players before leaving the training ground and gave advice for a long time.
The Jeju U-12 youth team was founded in 2013 and under the guidance of coach Park Jin-ok, a former Jeju United player, has achieved excellent results, including winning the national elementary soccer league three times and finishing runner-up four times. Hayes, who heard this, said, “Youth is the future of the club. Jeju players, including me, Jeju today, will do their best to make the future of Jeju shine more brilliantly.”
Head coach Park Jin-ok said, “I knew Hayes was a player with excellent skills. I didn’t expect his personality to be this good. He has a good affinity, so not only the players but also his parents have already become fans of Hayes. Jeju U-12 youth team for Hays. I will cheer hard for this,” he said. Yuri also smiled, saying, “As expected, he is my older brother (Korean). I will watch and learn a lot from Hayes. I look forward to the 2023 season even more” with a smile.