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V League clubs rush to sign Asian quota players for effectiveness on court — and cost

Published: 22 Apr. 2026, 14:08 Updated: 22 Apr. 2026, 18:36

Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi of the Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks celebrates during a game against the Gwangju Pepper Savings Bank AI Peppers in Daejeon on Jan. 26, 2025. [YONHAP]

Competition among professional volleyball clubs to sign Asian quota players is intensifying, particularly in the women’s league, where their impact has increasingly become a decisive factor.

The shift from a draft system to open recruitment has reshaped how V League clubs approach the market. Teams are now offering more competitive terms as a baseline to secure players already proven in Korea, while also leaning on existing relationships and familiarity.

The Asian quota system was introduced in part to address a shortage of domestic talent, which had driven up salaries for local free agents. That imbalance often left clubs paying a premium for players whose performances did not match their contracts.

By contrast, well-chosen Asian quota players have delivered output comparable to foreign players from elsewhere while earning less than 200 million won ($135,900) annually, making them one of the most cost-effective options in the league.

Clubs have moved quickly ahead of the new season. The Hwaseong IBK Altos, which narrowly missed the playoffs last year, signed Japanese national team outside hitter Miwako Osanai on April 15. Osanai ranked eighth in scoring in Japan’s SV League and first among domestic players, and is regarded as a well-rounded player with strength in both attack and reception.

Two days later, the Heungkuk Life Insurance Pink Spiders brought in Japanese outside hitter Jastis Yauchi, who played for Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate last season. Yauchi finished eighth in scoring while ranking first in serves, second in defense and second in reception, earning a place on the league’s Best Seven.

Her signing also reflects existing ties. Yauchi previously played for Osaka Marvelous under Pink Spiders coach Tomoko Yoshihara for four seasons — a connection widely seen as a factor in the deal.

Thanacha Sooksod of Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass celebrates after scoring during Game 2 of the women’s V-League championship series against GS Caltex Seoul Kixx in Gimcheon, Gyeonggi, on Apr. 3. [YONHAP]

Elsewhere, Gimcheon Korea Expressway Hi-Pass is working to retain Thai national team outside hitter Thanacha Sooksod, known to fans simply as Thanacha, who played a key role in the team’s first-place finish in the regular season last year. The GS Caltex Seoul Kixx — which went on to win the championship — is also showing interest. If signed, she would join Cuban opposite hitter Gyselle Silva, who is widely expected to re-sign, forming a formidable attacking lineup.

The biggest name on the market is Indonesian national team standout Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi. Megawati, who played for the Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks for the past two seasons, helped lead the club to its first playoff appearance in seven years.

In the 2024-25 season, she ranked first across nearly all offensive categories except total scoring, outperforming many foreign players. She has previously expressed a preference for playing alongside setter Yeom Hye-seon, leading to speculation that teams signing Yeom — a recent free agent — would have an edge in the race.

“An individual contract is also possible,” Megawati’s agent said, suggesting greater flexibility in negotiations.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHANG HYE-SOO [[email protected]]