Lee Chung-yong says he's proud to join Crystal Palace

Lee Chung-yong / Korea Times file

Midfielder Lee Chung-yong expressed hope in returning to the English Premier League after signing with Crystal Palace.

“This club plays in the best league in the world and it is where everyone wants to play,” Lee said during an interview with the club Thursday (local time), “I am looking forward to the opportunity of doing that with my new club.”

Lee made his Premier League debut in 2009, joining Bolton Wanderers from FC Seoul. But the team was relegated to the second tier Championship League from 2012-2013 season. Lee has since failed to get an opportunity to run in the Premier League.

At Bolton, he played with Dean Moxey who is a former Crystal Palace defender.

“We spoke about Palace as a club and he said how friendly it was, like one big family,” Lee said. “He also told me about the fans and how good they are.”

When asked about the injury picked up during the recent Asian Cup opening match, he said it is now getting better.

“I can’t join the team out in training at the moment but my injury is getting better and I hope I recover well and play soon.”

He left a message to Korean fans at the end of the interview.

“I’m happy to have joined Palace,” he said, “I’m working hard to recover and to play well in the Premier League.”

Earlier this week, Crystal Palace signed Lee until June 2018 for an undisclosed fee.