Will Lee Play for Jeonbuk?
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Jeonbuk Hyundai is ready to sign striker Lee Dong-gook.
The player's agent had a meeting with Choi Kang-hee, head coach of the club, on Jan. 6. The 30-year-old may get 600 million won for at least one year, according to representatives.
"We want Lee to join the team before the winter training begins on Jan. 12," said Baek Seung-kwon, club manager. "Lee will boost the performance of our team as well as being an asset for marketing."
Jeonbuk expects the striker to take the place of Jo Jae-jin, who left for Japanese outfit Gamba Osaka.
Lee, dubbed the ``Lion King'', debuted in the K-league at Pohang Stillers, and got the Best Rookie Prize with 7 goals and 2 assists in 15 appearances in 1998.
But Guus Hiddink, the former national team coach, excluded him from the 2002 World Cup squad, saying he lacked defensive ability. Four years later, Lee injured his knee before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and again failed to take part in the world's biggest football festival.
But, undaunted, Lee tried to revive his career. He moved to Middlesbrough and the English Premier League (EPL) in 2007, but couldn't find the form that would show his talent. He scored just two goals during the one-year stint.
He returned to the K-League, signing for Seongnam Chunma on a 17-month contract in July, 2008.
However, that too proved a misadventure. He scored just two goals and contributed two assists in 13 appearances. Seongnam Chunma then released him in December.