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| Lee Chung-yong | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lee Chung-yong |
| Birth date | 1988-07-02 |
| Birth place | Seoul, South Korea |
| Height | 1.77 m |
| Position | Winger |
| Youthclubs | Cheongdam Elementary School; Seoul Joongdong High School |
| Seniorclubs | Kyung Hee University; FC Seoul; Bolton Wanderers F.C.; Crystal Palace F.C.; VfL Bochum; Ulsan Hyundai FC |
| Nationalteam | South Korea national football team |
Lee Chung-yong is a South Korean professional footballer who played primarily as a winger and attacking midfielder. He rose from youth football in Seoul to prominence at FC Seoul before transferring to Bolton Wanderers F.C. in the Premier League. Lee became a fixture for the South Korea national football team, featuring at multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments and AFC Asian Cup campaigns.
Born in Seoul, Lee attended local schools including Cheongdam Elementary and Joongdong High School where he developed alongside peers who would progress into K League pathways. He trained within youth setups influenced by coaching methods from South Korea national under-20 football team staff and participated in domestic youth competitions organized by the Korea Football Association. While at Kyung Hee University and youth tournaments, Lee attracted attention from scouts representing FC Seoul and European clubs following standout performances at age-group events and the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers.
Lee made his professional breakthrough at FC Seoul in the K League Classic, contributing to the club’s domestic campaigns and continental matches in the AFC Champions League. His performances prompted a move to Bolton Wanderers F.C. in 2009, joining a squad managed by Gary Megson and later Owen Coyle, competing in the Premier League and the Football League Championship. At Bolton he earned recognition for dribbling and crossing, helping the club in matches against teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C., and Liverpool F.C..
In 2015 Lee transferred to Crystal Palace F.C. under Alan Pardew and Sam Allardyce tenures, making appearances in domestic cup competitions including the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. Injuries affected his availability, and subsequent moves saw him join VfL Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga, where he linked up with players who had experience in Bundesliga systems and coaching staffs influenced by German training methods. Lee later returned to South Korea to play for Ulsan Hyundai FC in the K League 1, contributing to domestic title challenges and AFC Champions League campaigns against clubs such as Kashima Antlers and Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C..
Lee represented South Korea across youth and senior levels, featuring for the South Korea national under-20 football team at junior tournaments and the AFC U-19 Championship. He earned his senior debut for the South Korea national football team and was part of squads at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Lee competed in regional tournaments including the AFC Asian Cup and the EAFF Championship, partnering with teammates from Son Heung-min, Park Ji-sung, and Ki Sung-yueng eras. He scored crucial goals in World Cup qualifying matches versus opponents from Japan and Iran neighbors and participated in international friendlies against nations like Brazil, Spain, and Germany.
Lee operated predominantly on the right flank as a winger or as an advanced wide midfielder, known for rapid acceleration, low center of gravity, and close ball control reminiscent of wide attackers developed in South Korea and refined in England and Germany. His crossing ability suited systems employing full-backs like those at Bolton Wanderers F.C. to overlap, and his off-the-ball movement allowed link-up with forwards in direct-play approaches used by managers such as Gary Megson and Sam Allardyce. Lee’s set-piece delivery featured in attacking patterns against clubs in Premier League and K League 1 matches.
Lee has been involved in charitable activities within South Korea and maintained connections to his hometown Seoul. He navigated mandatory national service considerations under policies administered by the Korea Football Association and government authorities, which have affected numerous South Korean athletes including Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min. Outside football, Lee’s media appearances included interviews with broadcasters covering FIFA World Cup campaigns and domestic football programming produced by networks in South Korea.
Lee’s club career encompassed appearances in the K League 1, Premier League, Football League Championship, 2. Bundesliga, and continental competitions such as the AFC Champions League. Internationally he accrued caps and goals for the South Korea national football team across tournaments including the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup. His honours include domestic trophies with FC Seoul and club recognitions during his tenure in K League competitions, and individual acknowledgments from national team selectors during major tournaments. Category:South Korean footballers