Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has confirmed that he has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with K League side FC Seoul and will depart the club next week.
Lingard, 32, joined FC Seoul on a free transfer in February 2024 and made 66 appearances, scoring 18 goals during his time in South Korea. He is set to play his final match on Wednesday against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League.
In a statement on Instagram, Lingard reflected on his time in South Korea, saying, “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 the appreciation you have shown towards me for these last two years has been truly amazing. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club.”
FC Seoul acknowledged Lingard’s departure, stating that he had “conveyed his desire to move on to the next stage of his football career.” Lingard is yet to announce where he will continue his career next.
During his tenure at FC Seoul, Lingard helped the team achieve a fourth-place finish in his debut season, the club’s highest since 2019, and they ended the 2025 campaign in sixth position. Despite not winning any trophies, FC Seoul said Lingard “generated an extraordinary level of public attention and emerged as a symbolic figure not only for the club but for the entire K League.”
Lingard’s start in South Korea was challenging, with injuries causing him to miss part of his first season and resulting in public criticism from his coach. However, he later became a key player for the team and was eventually given the captain’s armband, cementing his influence both on and off the pitch.
