The first independent club has been launched in overseas leagues in South Korea.
DJ Management announced that in April 2025, it acquired the management rights of 'Champasak United', a team in the first division league of Laos, until the 2031 season, changing the club's name to 'Champasak Abnil FC' for its new launch. This launch is the first case in the history of South Korean football where an independent club has entered an overseas first division league.
The Champasak Abnil FC project aims to go beyond simple club management and seeks to penetrate the Asian stage. If the team wins the Laos league, it will be granted a spot in the AFC Challenge League and eligibility for the AFF ASEAN Championship (Shopee Cup), the largest club tournament in Southeast Asia. This will provide an opportunity to validate their competitiveness in the Asian market.
A similar overseas case is Albirex Niigata Singapore, established by Japan's J League team Albirex Niigata. This team has participated in the Singapore Premier League, winning multiple league championships, and is evaluated as a successful case that simultaneously raised the practical experience of promising Japanese players and the brand value of the club. The launch of Champasak Abnil FC is also noted as a strategic attempt for a South Korean independent club to expand its activity stage into the Asian market.
This launch was made possible through extraordinary acquisition conditions as per league regulations. A maximum of 10 foreign players can be registered, and a special provision allows for the selection of up to 7 South Korean players from those registered under the AFC as part of the best 11. Based on these institutional advantages, they have laid the foundation to assemble a high-level squad and enhance their competitiveness in the league.
This project was pursued to expand overseas opportunities for South Korean players and to strategically expand targeting the Asian football market. Through this, it is expected to provide a new growth platform for domestic players and to have a positive effect on strengthening the international competitiveness of South Korean football.
Champasak Abnil FC is based in Laos but effectively aims to pursue a global club model targeting the Asian market. The club management plans to actively adopt innovative methods such as fan-participatory management models, application development, and releasing fan merchandise.
In terms of future plans, the appointment of a head coach will start in May, and by June, the team composition involving players from South Korea and Laos is scheduled to be completed. Following this, in July, the coaching staff will be formed and operational systems will undergo trial runs, and in August, the Vientiane clubhouse will open as they begin participating in the league in earnest.
DJ Management's CEO Lee Dong-jun noted, 'The Champasak Abnil FC project is expected to be a meaningful case in seeking new possibilities for an independent club and expanding the foothold of South Korean football in the Asian stage.'
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