South Korean K-League club Pohang Steelers has confirmed the transfer of its striker Lee Dong-guk to English Premier League club Middlesbrough. Though no fee is involved, the two sides agreed that Lee would return only to Pohang if he decides to go back to the K-League in the future. If Lee is offloaded to another club by Middlesbrough before his contract expires in 2009 then both clubs will share the fee equally. “He has had fitness tests and they have been positive. I am looking forward to seeing him test himself in the Premier League, It will be a great challenge for him and he could be an exciting player for the team,” Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said as quoted by AFLMedia.
Lee will be the fourth Korean to play in the Premier League after Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur and Seol Ki-hyeon of Reading. Middlesbrough will be his second European club after his seven games for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in 2001.
Lee will be the fourth Korean to play in the Premier League after Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur and Seol Ki-hyeon of Reading. Middlesbrough will be his second European club after his seven games for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in 2001.