'From Manchester United prodigy to K League leader’: Jesse Lingard wraps up his Korea chapter

Jesse Lingard of FC Seoul performs a “victory ceremony” toward fans after the club’s 2025–26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite league-stage Matchday 6 against Melbourne City at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Dec. 10. Yonhap

“I have been so happy here. It has been a fantastic two years.”

With those words, Jesse Lingard, captain of K League 1 side FC Seoul, bid an emotional farewell to fans. Smiling as he began his remarks, Lingard soon broke down in tears as he said goodbye, bringing his time in Korea to a close.

Lingard played his final match in a Seoul shirt, Dec. 10, at Seoul World Cup Stadium, facing Melbourne City in the sixth group-stage match of the 2025–26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite. He marked the occasion with a first-half opener in the 31st minute, offering fans a “last gift” despite the 1-1 draw. The result mattered less than parting with teammates, club staff and supporters.

“Over the past two years in Korea, I grew as a person,” Lingard said. “Becoming captain taught me responsibility, and I met teammates who will be friends for life. Seoul is a club that always aims for titles and first place. I will keep supporting a stronger Seoul from afar.” He later led fans in a familiar victory chant before shouting in Korean, “Thank you. I love you!”

Those who shared his journey, including fullback Kim Jin-su, foreign defender Yazan Al-Arab and interpreter Ki Ji-yong, were visibly emotional as well. Thus ended the Korean chapter of the so-called “Seoul man.”

Paul Pogba, left, and Jesse Lingard celebrate a goal while playing for Manchester United during the 2016–17 Premier League season. Reuters-Yonhap

'Captain Lingard?' From doubt to trust

Lingard’s captaincy once drew skepticism abroad. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes expressed surprise earlier this year when he learned Lingard was Seoul’s captain. Appearing on a YouTube channel with Park Ji-sung and Patrice Evra, Scholes reacted skeptically after Park said Lingard was wearing the armband. Scholes said he loved Lingard but did not see him as a captain, joking even after Evra reminded him that Korean fans viewed him differently.

Paul Scholes, a legendary midfielder for Manchester United / AP-Yonhap

That reaction reflected Lingard’s past image at United, where he was often labeled a mischievous talent. During the 2016–17 season, when United struggled in the Premier League, he drew criticism after a video surfaced of him dancing in the locker room with Paul Pogba.

In Seoul, however, Lingard showed a different side. He joined the club in February 2024 on a two-plus-one-year deal and quickly earned a reputation for professionalism. When then-captain Ki Sung-yueng was sidelined by injury, Lingard served as interim captain, encouraging younger players and consoling teammates after mistakes. This season, he was named full-time captain.

Head coach Kim Gi-dong said Lingard was a player who was strictest with himself, adding that his competitiveness and sense of responsibility changed the team’s atmosphere.

Lingard also tried to instill the “winning mentality” he learned at United. “From a young age, I was told that Manchester United players must always win,” he said, describing himself as a captain who could not accept defeat. His impact showed in the numbers: six goals and three assists in 26 league matches in 2024, followed by 10 goals and four assists in 34 matches this season.

Kim Gi-dong, left, head coach of FC Seoul, and Jesse Lingard attend an official press conference ahead of the 2025–26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite league-stage Matchday 1 against FC Machida Zelvia at Machida Gion Stadium in Japan, Sep. 15. Courtesy of Korea Professional Football League

Kim said parting with Lingard was difficult. “For two years, he kept me busy,” the coach said. “He often came to my office to talk tactics and asked directly why he was left out of the lineup. I will miss him, and I hope Korean players can learn from his confidence and critical mindset.”

Replacing Lingard will be a challenge. Kim said Lingard played a key role in receiving the ball stably between the lines, adding that the team would experiment during winter training. Seoul faces ACLE matches against Vissel Kobe and Sanfrecce Hiroshima next February without him.

Jesse Lingard plays for Manchester United during the 2021–22 season. EPA-Yonhap

From Manchester United prodigy to K League leader

Once hailed as the future of United and English football, Lingard joined the club’s academy at age 7 in 2000 and was promoted to the first team in 2011. Early loans to Leicester City, Birmingham City and Brighton & Hove Albion helped shape his career, with a four-goal debut at Birmingham standing out.

Under manager Louis van Gaal, Lingard made his Premier League debut in the 2014–15 opener against Swansea City, though injury cut the appearance short. At Swansea that season was Ki, who had scored the league’s opening goal, making their later reunion in Seoul a reminder of football’s twists of fate.

Lingard etched his name into United history in the 2016 FA Cup final, scoring the extra-time winner against Crystal Palace to secure the club’s first FA Cup in 12 years. His best season came in 2017–18, with 13 goals and seven assists in 48 matches.

Jesse Lingard, right, plays for the England national team at the 2018 Russia World Cup. AP-Yonhap

He also represented England at every youth level before reaching the senior team and starring at the 2018 World Cup, where he scored a curling strike against Panama after earning a penalty earlier in the match.

Inconsistency later weighed him down. Kim said Lingard had strong pride but sometimes appeared to give up when matches did not go his way, adding that he advised Lingard that leaders must lead by action. From the 2018–19 season, Lingard’s form declined, and he was eventually loaned to West Ham United. There, he enjoyed a resurgence in early 2021, scoring nine goals with four assists in 16 league games and helping West Ham qualify directly for the Europa League.

That momentum faded again. After becoming a free agent in the 2022–23 season, Lingard joined Nottingham Forest on a lucrative deal but struggled with injuries and form, leaving without a goal contribution and facing criticism.

Jesse Lingard poses during an official press conference announcing his signing with FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Feb. 8, last year. Yonhap

With his European career faltering, Lingard drew interest from leagues in the United States and Saudi Arabia but chose an unexpected destination: Korea. At his unveiling press conference in February 2024, he said he wanted to play “happy football” where he could get regular minutes. Seoul fans welcomed him by filling more than 60,000 seats for his K League debut.

Despite his pedigree, Lingard approached coaches and teammates first and showed respect for Korean culture, earning widespread affection. His off-the-ball movement, tactical awareness and unselfish passing stood out in the league, along with relentless pressing and defensive work. He emerged as a different kind of leader, becoming one of the K League’s biggest stars.

Seoul sought a one-year extension, but Lingard opted to move on. Rumors link him to a return to the Premier League, as well as clubs in China and Malaysia. Recently, his photo briefly appeared on the roster page of Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta'zim before being removed, fueling speculation over his next step.

According to the Korea Professional Football League, Lingard topped the league’s salary list last year at 1.82 billion won ($1.3 million). Transfermarkt estimates his market value at 2.2 million euros.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.