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Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has revealed his delight at making his debut for Ok League 1 facet FC Seoul on the weekend.
Having been with no membership for greater than seven months following his departure from Nottingham Forest final summer season, the 31-year-old agreed to hitch the South Korean facet on a two-year deal (with the choice of an extra yr) in February. Expressed.
Lingard transferred from Outdated Trafford to the Metropolis Floor in the summertime of 2022 when his contract at United expired, ending a twenty-one-year keep at his boyhood membership.
The midfielder signed a one-year take care of Forest on an costly wage, suggesting it was a wedding of comfort for each events, primarily based on whether or not the newly-promoted Championship facet would have the ability to salvage their return to the Premier League or No.
Nonetheless, regardless of the preliminary promise of the transfer, issues shortly turned bitter for Lingard at his new membership, he misplaced his place within the beginning eleven and didn’t regain it earlier than the tip of the season. He didn’t rating or help a single purpose final season.
Forest survived below Steve Cooper, however the membership had been eager to see Lingard go away the membership on the finish of the season, taking with him his costly wage packet.
The United academy graduate was linked with various golf equipment on this interim interval, together with golf equipment in Saudi Arabia and the US, earlier than he ultimately settled at FC Seoul. The Ok League 1 membership are reportedly paying Lingard £17,000-a-week – which is considerably lower than he’s paid within the Saudi Professional League or MLS.
Nonetheless, the midfielder is believed to be drawn to the South Korean life-style in addition to the enterprise alternatives supplied to him within the nation when it comes to eSports, trend and eating places. From this angle, a decrease pay packet makes extra sense as it may be compensated in the long run by means of different ventures.
When Lingard first arrived in Seoul to signal for his new group he was given a heat welcome on the airport; However after a “debut from hell” for FC Seoul on Saturday, this positivity didn't final lengthy.
The 31-year-old began on the bench and entered the sphere after FC Seoul misplaced 1-0 to Gwangju. As quickly as he was substituted, he was given a heat welcome, instantly selecting up a yellow card for a foul sort out, which may have probably acquired a worse punishment. Lingard's efforts additional did little to assist his new group, with Gwangju scoring a late purpose to place the sport past Seoul's grasp.
Regardless of the negativity of this debut, Lingard was notably optimistic on social media after the sport. The midfielder revealed on Instagram that he’s “blessed and grateful to be again on the pitch doing what I like most.”
Whether or not soccer is definitely nonetheless Lingard's favourite exercise, or whether or not it’s merely a way to a different purpose, stays to be seen.