Former Manchester United and England attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has signed for South Korean side FC Seoul.
The Athletic reported last week a deal was close, with Lingard expected to sign a long-term conract.
“Based on respect for Korean football, I am excited to represent the K-League as soon as possible by playing good football and dedication to my new team, FC Seoul,” Lingard said. “I am looking forward to meeting coach Kim Gidong and to make an impact in the team.”
Lingard has been a free agent since June, when his contract at Nottingham Forest expired.
The 31-year-old had trained at West Ham United, another of his former clubs, for several weeks during the first half of the season, but manager David Moyes insisted a deal was not close.
Lingard then spent several weeks training with Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, who are coached by Steven Gerrard, but a move did not materialise.
Lingard made only 20 appearances for Forest in the 2022-23 season, but started only once in the Premier League in the second half of the campaign and failed to feature in any of their seven matches.
He previously played 232 times for United after coming through their academy, scoring 35 goals. Lingard also enjoyed a hugely successful half-season loan spell at West Ham during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring nine goals in 16 matches.
Lingard made his senior England debut in 2016 and made 32 appearances for his country, with the last of those coming in 2021.
FC Seoul, meanwhile, finished seventh in the 2023 K-League and are six-time champions.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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