Jesse Lingard Announces Departure from FC Seoul
Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has announced that he has "mutually agreed" to terminate his contract with FC Seoul, with plans to leave the club next week.
The 32-year-old joined the K League team on a free transfer in February 2024, making 66 appearances and scoring 18 goals during his time there.
Lingard is set to play his final match for FC Seoul on Wednesday against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League.
Reflecting on his experience in South Korea, Lingard expressed on Instagram, "My time in South Korea has been unbelievable - the football, the atmosphere, and the passion around this club have been top class. The love, support, and appreciation you have shown towards me for these last two years has been truly amazing. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club."
FC Seoul stated that Lingard had "conveyed his desire to move on to the next stage of his football career." Despite leaving without any silverware, Lingard contributed to FC Seoul's success, helping the team achieve a fourth-place finish—its highest since 2019—during his debut season, and sixth place in the 2025 campaign.
FC Seoul praised him for generating significant public interest and becoming a symbolic figure not only for the club but for the entire K League. After concluding a 20-year association with Manchester United, Lingard faced a challenging start at FC Seoul, including public criticism from his coach due to an injury that sidelined him early in the season. However, he eventually established himself as a key player and earned the captain's armband.