FSV Mainz midfielder Koo Ja-cheol says the German Bundesliga is the best football competition in the world according to South Koreans.
The past few years has seen an influx of players from Koo's country become key contributors in Germany's top flight and the Taeguk Warriors star suggests that popularity in his homeland has grown for that reason.
"Until three or four years ago, the Bundesliga was largely unknown in Korea but the Bundesliga has now become known in my country as the best league in the world and a large fanbase watches the matches on TV," he told Bundesliga.com.
"The success of German clubs in the Champions League in particular has awoken strong interest and of course the fact that more players like us two (teammate Park Joo-ho) are coming to the Bundesliga also plays a role."
Koo, who joined Mainz from VfL Wolfsburg last month, also touched on the new support he has experienced since moving from Lower Saxony to the Rhineland region.
"Celebrating with the fans in the stadium is a great feeling. The stadiums are full," he added.
"There's a fantastic atmosphere and that support helps you out on the pitch. The connection between fans and players is very intense in Mainz and that makes football fun."
