Lee Chung-yong back in Korea for New Year

By Cho Mu-hyun

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong has returned to Korea to celebrate the holidays here for the first time since his English Premier League debut.

The 23-year-old was initially known to be with his team and busying himself in rehabilitation training but was speculated to have returned when a photo of him at Konkuk University Medical Center was posted on the center’s blog.

Lee’s agency TI Sports Entertainment confirmed his return, stating that he had returned sometime before Christmas and plans to return to England next week.

“Lee came back thanks to the consideration of his team (Wanderers),” said TI Sport promotional team’s Lee Sang-hoon on Friday. “He plans to spend time with his family and close associates.”

Lee has never spent the yearend holidays in his native soil since his Bolton debut in 2009, because of the busy schedule of English Premier League during Christmas and Boxing Day.

He sustained a double-fracture on his right leg during a preseason match against Newport County on August 2011, which prevented him from participating in any league matches. But he is expected to return to the field on March.

Dubbed the “Blue Dragon” for his name and year of birth, he is one of the most anticipated players by fans for 2012, the year of the dragon.

Spotted by former national team manager Cho Kwang-rae, he joined FC Seoul in 2004 and made a name for himself alongside teammate Ki Sung-yueng as a formidable midfielder. His rise continued on international duties, where his stellar play caught the eyes of multiple European agencies and was named one of the 50 rising stars in football by English daily, the Times in 2009.

He joined Bolton in July of 2009, and scored his first goal in the 2-1 victory against Birmingham City on Sep. 26. His debut year saw him win a hat-trick of top awards, being named Bolton’s Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and best newcomer. He scored a total of 9 goals and provided 16 assists for the team throughout two seasons.