The move to South Korea comes after a breakout season for the 25-year-old, which has seen him play a key role in a sparse Mariners’ forward line under Paul Okon.

Appiah made 79 appearances in the A-League for the Mariners, Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix. The striker made 38 league appearances for the Mariners over two years, only scoring twice.

He also won the 2014 Asian Champions League with the Wanderers, and was their 2014 ACL Player of the Year.

“I am really excited, this is a dream come true,” Appiah said. “This came out of nowhere really and everything has happened so quickly.

“Before I came to the Central Coast Mariners my career wasn’t moving in the direction I had hoped. My move to the Mariners has really ignited my career. 

“I can’t thank Paul Okon enough, he helped refine my game and my form this season is testimony to that. Paolo gave me the opportunity to showcase myself and has been a very important person in my life, me and my family hold the highest amount of respect for Paul Okon, so I can’t thank him enough.

“After playing in the Champions League with the Wanderers I always said I wanted to play in Korea or Japan and now it’s a reality.

“In my second stint here, the fans have been fantastic, I’ve gained confidence, the staff have been amazing and the players have been first class.  

“I want to say a big thank you to the fans. I have enjoyed the fans vocally getting behind me in such a positive manner and I wish I could have repaid them with more goals for the team. 

“I want to wish the boys the best of luck for the rest of the season. I am more than confident that they will make the top six, we will go on a run and finish where we deserve to finish.”

With the loss of Spanish striker Asdrubal due to family reasons only partially resolved by the signing of Brisbane Roar departee Petros Skapetis, the Mariners will be looking for a late-January signing to avoid fielding a very unexperienced forward line for the remainder of the season.