Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard has announced he will leave FC Seoul next week, ending a two-season stint in South Korean football.
The 32-year-old joined FC Seoul in February 2024 and made over 60 appearances for the K League side, though he did not secure any silverware during his tenure. Lingard’s final game will be at home against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League on December 10.
While he did not reveal his next destination, FC Seoul confirmed that Lingard had expressed a desire to move on to the next stage of his football career.
Reflecting on his time in Seoul, Lingard described leaving at the end of his contract as “not an easy decision.”
“My time in South Korea has been unbelievable — the football, the atmosphere and the passion around this club have been top class,” he wrote on social media. “The love, support and the appreciation you have shown towards me for these last two years has been truly amazing.”
Lingard faced challenges early on, including public criticism from his coach and a spell out due to injury. However, he bounced back to take the captain’s armband, helping FC Seoul finish in the top half of the league in both seasons.
He expressed gratitude to the club and fans: “I want to thank FC Seoul, my teammates, the staff and everyone associated at the club for trusting me and welcoming me from day one. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club.”
FC Seoul praised Lingard’s impact, saying he “generated an extraordinary level of public attention and emerged as a symbolic figure not only for the club but for the entire K League.”
