New Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Kim Hyun Soo Expresses Determination To Retire In United States

by Diana Tomale / Jan 01, 2016 06:14 AM EST

South Korean outfielder Kim Hyun Soo expresses desire to conclude his baseball career in the United States. (Photo by Chung Sung Jun / Getty Images)

South Korean outfielder Kim Hyun Soo revealed he looks forward to end his baseball career not in his hometown, but in the United States.

The 27-year-old player who recently signed a two-year contract with the New Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB) said he will not take the U-turn back to the Korean baseball league, as reported by Yonhap News Agency Tuesday.

"I want to do well and retire in the US before coming back to South Korea," Kim said in a press conference in Seoul. "If I return here before then, it would mean I'm no longer desirable to US teams. I'd consider myself a loser if I take a U-turn to the Korean baseball league."

Kim ended his 10-year stay with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League to join the American professional baseball team. The South Korean player agreed to a $7-million contract with the team. Reports have revealed that Kim will become a free agent after his contract with the Doosan Bears ends in 2017.

"Kang Jung Ho came across my mind when my deal was finalized," Kim said of Pittsburgh Pirates' Kang Jung Ho, as noted by Korea Times Tuesday. "I was able to sign the deal because Jung Ho did so well. I thought I should not ruin what he has achieved."

He went on, "I may not be an extraordinary player, but I will be a player who is good at basic things."

Kim's decision to join the Doosan Bears made him the second player from the KBO League to join the big association this winter. The South Korean player added he likes it that no one recognizes him in Baltimore, Maryland.

"I like no one recognizing me. I went to a Korean restaurant there. The owner did not recognize me and said 'if you are migrating here, you should work hard. As hard as you can and do not rest.' That was a funny experience, but I really liked what he said to me. I will not rest and will try as hard as I can," he said.

Kim added that having chemistry with his new team "is the most urgent thing [he has] to deal with. Then, playing games, as many as [he] can comes next, then [he] will start to think about [his] future."