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| Sportschosun DB |
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| Sportschosun DB |
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'National team fullback' Lee Myung-jae (32) will take on a new challenge. He heads to England, leaving behind a lot of love calls. The new destination is Birmingham City.
Multiple officials familiar with the soccer transfer market said through Sports Chosun on the 1st (Korea time) that `Lee Myung-jae will wear Birmingham City's uniform. Lee Myung-jae received love calls from all over Asia, including Japan, China, and the Middle East this winter. Recently, he has also received attention from England's multiple teams. Lee Myung-jae chose to transfer to Birmingham City, which was the most active among them. Lee Myung-jae will soon move to England to finalize his contract,' he hinted.
Lee Myung-jae, who was born in 1993, was selected as the biggest free agent in the transfer market this winter. Lee Myung-jae made his professional debut in Ulsan's uniform in 2014 after serving as a mid-warning - Hongik University. The start wasn't easy. He was not easily established in Ulsan. He also went on a loan transfer to Niigata, Japan for a while.
It shook, but it didn't collapse. Lee Myung-jae stood out in 2017 by gaining the upper hand in the main competition. The crisis came once again. He was immersed in rehabilitation for a while due to an injury in 2020 when he was a member of the Armed Forces Sports Unit.
Lee Myung-jae turned the crisis into an opportunity again this time. He returned to Ulsan after being discharged from the military and showed his skills. In particular, he played a key role in Ulsan in the 2022-2024 season, helping the team to its first three consecutive losses. In 2024, he was honored to be selected as the defender category 'Best 11' at the K League Awards.
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Lee Myung-jae, who silently kept his position on his team, wore the national flag as 'late national team'. He joined the A team for the first time in the second Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup held in March 2024. He was the first Taegeuk mark in his 30s, but he made an impression with his veteran style of play. In particular, Coach Hong Myung-bo has become a clear starting player after taking over the A national team. He played in all the first to sixth games of the third Asian qualifying round for the North-China World Cup.
Lee Myung-jae's contract with Ulsan expired after the 2024 season. He received attention from all over Asia. Japan, China, and the Middle East received attention from not only Asia but also the UK. In particular, it is known that the Middle East and China have offered a large amount of money. However, Lee Myung-jae chose a new challenge. The reason is clear. He wants to play soccer better' is said to have set a Birmingham City transfer under a clear target.
Birmingham City coach Chris Davis is also said to have actively wanted Lee Myung-jae. Birmingham City is ranked No. 1 in the English League 1 in the 2024-2025 season. Promotion to the English Championship (Second Division) is very advantageous. However, one right fullback is currently out due to an injury. Coach Chris Davis needs Lee Myung-jae to strengthen the squad. He is known to have asked for recruitment by looking not only for Lee Myung-jae's national team but also for his team's game. Birmingham City is also familiar with the team where national midfielder Baek Seung-ho plays.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
