By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
South Korean international Ki Sung-yueng says he will move to Scotland with the confidence that he can make an impact with his new club.
Ki was officially welcomed as the newest member of Scottish giant Celtic at a press conference in Seoul, Monday.
"I am very proud to join Scottish powerhouse Celtic," Ki said. "I feel that I am representing Korea, and I believe that is a big responsibility."
"I will put all my effort into becoming a player that represents Korea well in Scotland," he added.
Celtic paid a 2-million-euro (3.8 billion won) transfer fee to FC Seoul for the 20-year-old and will pay him 870,000 (1.47 billion won) euros annually over four years.
"Park Ji-sung of Manchester United is my role model. I want to follow in his footsteps," Ki said.
Ki said there will be an adjustment period, as he gets used to living in Scotland.
"I have spent some time in Australia, but at first it will be hard to get used to the language and the food. But I can usually get accustomed to a new life quite quickly," he said.
Ki won't able to officially become a member of the Scottish team until Jan. 1 when the transfer window opens. The midfielder just completed the season with FC Seoul last month.
"This is usually the offseason for me. So I am not at 100 percent at the moment. I will do my best to get into top shape soon," he said.
He was cautious with his goals for his first season.
"I don't have any experience in European leagues, so I will not set my goals too hit. I am young and I will have time to improve more and more. But it is important to show the fans as well as the coaching staff what I can do. I will try to get better step by step."
"I am not at the right position to score a lot of goals," he said. "I want to set up my teammates. My main objective is to get into as many games as I can. If I have the opportunity, I'd like to score five or six goals in a season."
Ki could make his debut as early as Jan. 3 in the Glasgow derby against rival Rangers.
"It will be up to my manager to decide when I play. I don't know if I'll be ready to play in that match. But if I do, I will do my best to help Celtic get a win."
Ki is scheduled to leave Seoul for Scotland on Wednesday.