Nottingham Forest striker Hwang Ui-jo has returned to his parent club after Norwich City decided to cut the South Korean's season-long loan short.
The 31-year-old arrived at Carrow Road on transfer deadline day this summer on what was expected to be a deal until the end of the season, but will now move back to the City Ground amid a cocktail of injury and legal controversy.
Canaries head coach David Wagner revealed after Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bristol Rovers that Hwang was absent with a hamstring injury, with the option of ending his loan being considered.
"Unfortunately he pulled his hamstring," Wagner said of Hwang. "He'll be out for six weeks. We have to give ourselves maybe the next few days to assess how we deal with that situation."
The former Bordeaux striker had also been summoned by South Korean police for questioning over claims of sexual misconduct he denies, a case that rumbled on throughout his time in Norfolk and has resulted in his suspension from the national team.
Hwang played 18 games in total for the Canaries, scoring three times and claiming one assist. He started as recently as a New Year's Day draw with Southampton, but was likely to struggle for game time after Josh Sargent's return from injury.
He was signed to provide cover for Sargent after an ankle ligament injury ruled the American out for four months in August, but on his departure had formed one quarter of a bloated striking department alongside Ashley Barnes and Adam Idah.
Hwang's prospects at his parent club also seem limited, having made three loan moves away and no competitive appearances as of yet. The Reds are currently 15th in the Premier League, and are now under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo after Steve Cooper, who signed Hwang in 2022, was fired.
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