Following a quiet winter transfer window, one post-deadline move stands out as particularly intriguing. Jesse Lingard, a seasoned player who notably featured for England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and secured victories in the 2016 FA Cup and 2017 Europa League with Manchester United, has embarked on a new journey by signing a two-year contract with South Korean side FC Seoul, with an option for an additional year.
This move marks a departure from the norm for a former Premier League star. The K League 1, South Korea’s top tier, seldom sees international players from prominent European nations. However, for Lingard, this shift comes amidst a challenging period. Having last represented his country in October 2021 and enduring an eight-month spell without a club following his release from Nottingham Forest in June, Lingard, now 31, has been eager to return to the pitch.
Expressing his desire to rediscover joy in playing football, Lingard stated, “When FC Seoul came into the equation, they showed a lot of commitment.” The club’s dedication was evident as they traveled to Manchester to observe Lingard’s training and presented him with a contract. Despite receiving multiple verbal offers, Lingard felt compelled to reciprocate FC Seoul’s faith in him.
After navigating through a tumultuous period since parting ways with Forest, Lingard’s journey underscores the resilience and determination required in the pursuit of a new opportunity. This transition to FC Seoul represents a leap into the unknown, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter in Lingard’s career.
at Manchester United. Their bond was further strengthened when Lingard delivered impressive performances, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 16 appearances during a loan spell with Moyes’ West Ham in the latter half of the 2020-21 season.
Despite Lingard’s successful stint, he opted not to return to the London Stadium after departing Manchester United at the end of his contract in 2022. Instead, he chose a lucrative one-year deal with newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, rejecting offers from Fulham and Newcastle United for longer-term contracts. Lingard’s plan was to excel at Forest, become a free agent again, and reassess his options in hopes of attracting renewed interest. However, events unfolded differently.
Despite committing to another club, Moyes harbored no ill feelings and welcomed Lingard back to West Ham to work on his fitness while seeking a new club. Lingard trained with the team for a month, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving his conditioning alongside fitness coaches Josh Ewens and Nick Davies.
Although Lingard showcased his fitness and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Ipswich Town in September, Moyes believed that signing him would limit his playing time. With preferred attacking options such as Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Said Benrahma, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta, Moyes opted not to offer Lingard even a short-term deal, despite receiving offers from other clubs.
In late September, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ newly appointed head coach Gary O’Neil expressed interest in signing Lingard. Although discussions ensued, the club’s adherence to financial fair play regulations constrained potential signings, complicating O’Neil’s pursuit. Everton also showed interest but failed to formalize an offer, leaving Lingard’s Premier League aspirations unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard, manager of Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, initially inquired about Lingard’s availability in late August. After reinitiating contact in October, Gerrard urged Lingard to train with Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia to pressure the club into signing him. Lingard accepted the invitation, training for three weeks alongside his financial advisor, Andy Pollard, impressing chairman Samer Al-Mishal. However, Gerrard eventually informed Lingard that the club would not proceed with a deal.
By mid-December, Lingard garnered interest from various teams, including offers from Championship clubs and Turkish side Besiktas. Lingard declined a £50,000 per week proposal from Besiktas twice. Despite an approach from an unnamed club in Slovakia and offers from MLS teams like the Portland Timbers, Lingard found the salary caps and conditions unfavorable.
Ultimately, Lingard’s journey led him to FC Seoul. Intrigued by the opportunity for a new experience, commercial prospects, security of a long-term contract, and the chance to return to the pitch, Lingard decided to join the South Korean club.
FC Seoul’s interest in Lingard began six weeks prior, with an offer facilitated by a Korean agent acting on behalf of the club through Pollard. Lingard took his time considering the offer, mindful of the limited transfer opportunities once the window closes. FC Seoul closely monitored Lingard’s progress, sending representatives to Manchester to observe his training.
With the allure of a United connection in South Korea and potential marketing opportunities due to a sizable local fanbase, Lingard found FC Seoul’s offer compelling. Negotiations ensued, focusing on a commercial/marketing partnership to make the move more feasible. Lingard enlisted legal assistance from Tom Keane, a senior partner at Brandsmiths, and Pollard to finalize the deal.
Unlike the typical mid-season transitions common in European leagues, Lingard’s move to FC Seoul aligns with the K League’s schedule, running from March to December. FC Seoul, a six-time Korean champion and five-time runner-up, last clinched the league title eight years ago. After a seventh-place finish in the previous season, they kick off their 2024 campaign against Gwangju FC on March 2.
Despite facing criticism for his decision, Lingard’s move presents an opportunity for significant commercial impact at FC Seoul. Even before finalizing his signing, Lingard received lucrative commercial offers from Korean companies during his visit to the country.
While written proposals from clubs were scarce and often short-term, FC Seoul’s offer stood out as the most appealing to Lingard. Despite alternative options in Turkey or the United States, Lingard opted for the unconventional path, driven by his eagerness to explore new horizons and, more importantly, reignite his passion for playing football.
FC Seoul’s offer of a potential three-year contract underscores their commitment to Lingard, who eagerly embraced the opportunity, hoping it would pave the way for his return to happiness on the pitch.