Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard revealed he has mutually ended his deal with FC Seoul and is preparing to depart the club next week.
The 32-year-old moved to the K League side on a free transfer in February 2024 and has featured 66 times, netting 18 goals.
His last appearance will come on Wednesday against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League, bringing his two-year stay in South Korea to a close.
In a message shared on Instagram, Lingard said his spell in the country had been “unbelievable”, praising the football culture, intensity in the stands, and the backing he received from supporters.
He added that the affection shown to him since his arrival had meant “everything”, and thanked the club for giving him the chance to represent them.
Club reaction and next steps
FC Seoul confirmed that Lingard informed officials of his wish to pursue the next step in his career. He has not yet disclosed where he intends to play following his departure.
Although he leaves without lifting a trophy, Lingard contributed to a fourth-place league finish in his debut year — the team’s best outcome since 2019 — and the side secured sixth position this season.
In their statement, FC Seoul noted that Lingard drew major attention across the league and became a prominent figure both for the club and the competition as a whole.
Impact and challenges
After cutting ties with Manchester United following two decades at the club, Lingard initially struggled in Seoul, missing the early stretch of his first campaign due to injury and receiving public criticism from his coach.
Despite the early difficulties, he recovered form, became central to the team’s play, and was eventually entrusted with the captain’s armband.
