Jesse Lingard, a former midfielder for Manchester United and England, has completed his transfer to FC Seoul in South Korea.
Since the end of the previous season, when his contract with Nottingham Forest expired, Lingard has been without a club.
The 31-year-old is rumored to have inked a two-year contract with the K-League team, with an additional year’s option.
Despite the “many offers” Lingard claimed to have received, he decided he wanted to try football in South Korea.
“I’ve always wanted a different challenge and to create new memories in my career,” Lingard said in a YouTube video.
“I believe South Korea is the perfect place for that.”
Born in Warrington, Lingard rose through Manchester United’s junior system before making his debut in August 2014 under Louis van Gaal.
He went on to play for United, making 232 appearances and contributing 35 goals while helping the team win the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.
After Lingard’s Red Devils contract expired in July 2022, he signed a one-year contract with Forest.
After 20 appearances, Forest released him in the summer.
He claimed that one of the things that convinced him to move was FC Seoul’s resolve to sign him before the transfer became known to the public on the day of the English transfer deadline.
At a press conference, Lingard stated, “FC Seoul showed me great passion, sending me a concrete offer on paper while other clubs were contacting me verbally.”
“They also came to Manchester to check my physical condition as well.”
Although it was previously rumored that Lingard intended to increase his interests in esports, fashion, and restaurant ventures in Korea, he insisted that his on-field accomplishments played a major role in his choice.
“I’ll concentrate on football; football has no bearing on my personal affairs. Football is the most important thing to me,” he continued.
After spending time on loan at West Ham, Brighton, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham, and Lingard, he won the final of his 32 England caps in a 5-0 victory against Andorra in October.
