Cho Hyung-Ik was drafted from Myongji University in Yongin, just south of Seoul to Daegu FC for the 2008 season. A winger, he established himself as part of the first team squad, playing in over 30 games in all competitions in 2008. He continued to play a key role for the team in 2009, scoring 3 goals in the K-League, and a further 3 in the League Cup. In his third season with Daegu, Cho scored 8 league goals and added 1 goal in the League Cup.