Reports circulating in South Korea have unveiled Jesse Lingard’s purported salary at FC Seoul. Lingard, who flew out on Sunday night, is on the brink of securing a two-year contract with the club, pending finalization of terms and completion of a medical examination. Should the rumored salary be accurate, the 31-year-old could potentially claim the title of the highest-paid player in the K-League.
According to reports from Chosun Ilbo, via Korea JoongAng Daily, two prominent news outlets in the country, Jesse Lingard could potentially earn £17,500 per week, amounting to £910,000 per year, if he finalizes the deal with FC Seoul. This figure represents a significant decrease from his previous contract with Manchester United in 2017, which boasted a weekly salary of £100,000.
Jesse Lingard’s Move to FC Seoul: A Boost for K-League
According to Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel, Jesse Lingard had garnered interest from 26 teams, including Lazio. However, his recent flight to South Korea suggests that he is on the verge of finalizing a move to FC Seoul. The manager of Seoul, Kim Gi-dong, confirmed earlier discussions about Lingard joining the club. He expressed initial skepticism but acknowledged ongoing negotiations, highlighting the potential positive impact Lingard’s arrival could have on the K-League, especially attracting more foreign fans.
🚨🇰🇷 Official, confirmed. Jesse Lingard joins FC Seoul in South Korea on two year contract, deal completed.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 8, 2024
Lingard signed the contract yesterday as it’s free transfer for former Manchester United player. pic.twitter.com/K0E48lsX78
Kim Gi-dong emphasized the need for patience if Lingard were to join, considering his recent lack of playing time, suggesting that adaptation might take precedence over immediate performance expectations.
He said: ‘I heard about it two to three weeks ago and I thought it was unrealistic. ‘I asked our director of football about it and he replied to me: yes, it’s true, we are in contact with the player, but the deal is not confirmed yet.’
‘If he comes, of course, it would be great for K-League as more foreign fans would be interested in our league.’
‘And if he comes as he was not playing for a while, we need to give him time to adapt rather than expect an instant impact.’
On Sunday night, Lingard shared a photo on Instagram from the airport, with his luggage featuring his JLingz fashion label indicating his departure for South Korea. Interestingly, reports last month had linked Lingard with a potential move to Barcelona, raising eyebrows among football enthusiasts.
Should Lingard complete the move to Seoul, he would join a select group of English players who have competed in the K-League, including Jamie Cureton and Jordan Mutch, among others. FC Seoul’s recent performances in the South Korean league have seen them finish seventh or ninth in the 12-team competition over the past four seasons.
Lingard’s Career Highlights and Banter with Scholes
During his brief tenure at Nottingham Forest, Jesse Lingard made 20 appearances, netting two goals. Before his time at the City Ground, Lingard experienced a remarkable loan spell at West Ham in 2021, impressively scoring nine goals in just 16 appearances.
Lingard’s achievements include winning the Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup with Manchester United, where he featured in 232 first-team games following his progression from the academy. His international career boasts 32 caps for England, with his most recent appearance occurring in 2021.
In a lighthearted exchange on Instagram, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes jokingly teased Lingard after the winger shared multiple photos of himself working out in the gym. Scholes quipped, “Are you just gonna f*** about in the gym or are you gonna actually play football?” Later, in response to another post featuring Lingard training on the pitch, Scholes commented, “There we go Jess… a ball.”
