 South Korean national team midfielder Lee Keun-ho, left, signed with Japanese club Jubilo Iwata for one-year deal, Monday. Lee tried to advance to French club Paris Saint-Germain, but failed. / Korea Times File |
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Striker Lee Keun-ho has rejoined Jubilo Iwata after his transfer to French club Paris Saint-Germain fell apart.
Lee's agency, Tenplus Sports, said Monday that Lee has signed a one-year deal with the Japanese team.
``We made a deal with Jubilo Iwata for one year, which expires at the end of July 2010. After that, Lee will become a free agent.''
The club also confirmed the deal.
``Lee Keun-ho tried to move to Saint-Germain but decided to come back to Iwata when he could not reach a deal,'' the team posted on its official Web site.
The financial terms were not disclosed but Japanese sports newspaper Spornichi reported that Lee's salary will be 72 million yen (950 million won or $762,000).
``I am very pleased to play again at Iwata although I gave the Iwata fans some worries,'' Lee posted on the Web site. ``I will make effort to contribute to the team's success. I hope you cheer me on.''
The Japanese team said that Lee might play in a game against Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday.
Lee seemed poised to join PSG last month when the club expressed an interest in signing him.
``We received an official document from Saint-Germain, Saturday (June 6). We sent the document to Iwata. We will discuss the move this week,'' Lee's agency company manager Kim Dong-ho told The Korea Times at the time.
However, when PSG's director general announced that the club had almost concluded its summer transfer activity, it began to look as if the national team striker was no longer in the team's plans.
``We've completed the biggest part of our summer transfer campaign and now will just have to make adjustments to compensate for any players leaving the club,'' Philippe Boindrieux told the club's official Web site earlier this month.
Former Daegu FC General Manager Choi Jong-joon, who led Lee from 2007 to 2008, said the failed transfer was unfortunate for Lee.
``That's too bad. This will hurt the player psychologically and also cost him in training time, all because of unclear administration.''
Earlier this year, Lee, who became a free agent at the end of last season, sought to move to Europe and had trials with top-flight Dutch club Willem II as well as PSG in March, but failed to impress.
The 24-year-old forward debuted in the K-League with Incheon United in 2005 and joined Daegu FC in 2007. He scored 11 goals and registered six assists for Daegu in 26 appearances in the 2008 season. He was fifth in scoring overall ― and first among domestic players ― last season.
Lee first joined Jubilo Iwata in April and played there until last month, scoring six goals in eight appearances.
He has been a member of the national team since June 2007, scoring eight times in 23 appearances.
shosta@koreatimes.co.kr
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