Lingard arrives in Korea for shock deal with FC Seoul
Former Manchester United midfielder and English international Jesse Lingard arrived in Korea on Monday to finalize a stunning deal with a K League 1 club, FC Seoul.
Hours earlier, Lingard posted a photo on his Instagram page showing his luggage outside a boarding gate at Heathrow Airport in London, as he prepared to board a Korean Air flight.
Lingard is expected to undergo a physical with FC Seoul before signing his contract.
If all goes well, Lingard, 31, will likely be introduced at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. He would instantly become the biggest international player to join the top Korean league.
Last week, English media reported that Lingard was close to joining FC Seoul on a two-year deal with an option for a third season. The Korean club acknowledged Friday they had been in talks with Lingard, though nothing was finalized at that point.
Lingard has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest last summer. He began his club career with Man United in 2011 and spent 11 seasons there. He signed for Forest in 2022 following their promotion to the Premier League.
He has collected 32 caps for England, including six matches during the country’s run to the semifinals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Earlier this season, Lingard trained with West Ham United, for whom he scored nine goals in 16 matches on a loan during the 20202021 season, and also spent time training with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
He has reportedly drawn offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
FC Seoul hired former Pohang Steelers head coach Kim Gi-dong as their new bench boss for the upcoming season, seeking a turnaround after spending the past four seasons stuck in mediocrity in the K League 1.