South Korea’s captain Hong Myung-bo is to join LA Galaxy next year, to become the first player from the his country to play in the MLS.

Hong was named the outsttanding defender at the World Cup finals in June, following his country’s phenomenal run to the semi-finals. He has been linked with moves to several European clubs but despite the speculation, there have been no firm bids and his current club, Pohang Steelers, were determined to keep him.

However, the Steelers have accepted LA Galaxy’s bid of œ580,000 for Hong.

Hong played for four years in Japan’s J League before returning to play for the Pohang Steelers in 2001.