Emanuel Novo has become the Korea Professional Football League's (K League) first foreign goalkeeper in 28 years, a milestone that signals a growing openness in a role long closed to non-Korean athletes. Yongin FC, named after its home city in Gyeonggi Province and set to enter the second-tier K League 2 this season, announced on Saturday that it had signed the Portuguese goalkeeper. The 33-year-old is also the K League’s first foreign goalkeeper since the league lifted its long-standing ban on foreign registrations at the position last June, a change that took effect this season. Previously, Novo played in Portugal’s first and second divisions and has also competed in Romania and Saudi Arabia. Yongin FC cited his command of the air — aided by his 192-centimeter frame — as well as his strong communication with defenders. “As the first goalkeeper to join the K League since the ban on foreign goalkeepers was lifted, I want to live up to that responsibility,” Novo said, adding that it was a great honor to join the team. In 1999, after years of gradual curbs, the league barred th