Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard is contemplating his next career move after an eventful two-year spell in South Korea's K-League with FC Seoul. The 33-year-old, now back in Warrington, has told of his cultural and culinary adventures in Seoul, including eating live octopus, and confirmed he is 'open' to opportunities in 'Europe, Saudi, UAE' when the transfer window reopens.
A Cultural Reset and On-Pitch Transformation
Lingard's move to Seoul in February 2024, following a difficult period after leaving Nottingham Forest, represented a bold reset. He sought to escape the 'noise and distractions' of Manchester and focus solely on football. Despite a knee injury that delayed his start, Lingard grew into a leadership role, being named captain in his first season. He finished his stint with 16 goals and 7 assists in 60 league appearances, helping Seoul to a fourth-place finish in 2024 and Asian Champions League qualification.
The midfielder was changed by the experience. 'I feel that I'm more mature now, more responsible,' he said. This maturity was forged through leading a young squad and immersing himself in a new culture, even learning Korean through daily interactions with a young teammate, Ham Sun-woo.
Shocks, Stamina, and Son Heung-min
Lingard's time in South Korea was filled with surprises. He described the shock of locals recognising him on the street and the intense pressure from fans of the 'biggest club in the country', which he compared to Manchester United. He also experienced stark differences in facilities, noting the lack of a training ground canteen and under-soil heating, which forced training cancellations in icy weather.
On the pitch, his physical data remained elite. In his final four matches for Seoul, he covered between 11.4km and 12.4km per game, with 9-10% of that distance at high intensity. Off it, he lived in a penthouse overlooking the Han River, in the same building as South Korean captain Son Heung-min, whom he met at the training ground.
An Emotional Farewell and a Legacy Left
Lingard's departure was emotional. After declining a one-year contract option, he scored in his final match—a 1-1 Asian Champions League draw with Melbourne City on 10 December—celebrating with a moonwalk. A tribute video calling him 'Our beloved captain' moved him to tears.
'I made such a bond over these last two years with the players and fans that it was always going to be emotional again,' Lingard stated. 'I think I've left a strong legacy.' As he enjoys Christmas with family, the free agent, whose Korean adventure involved everything from live seafood to leading by example, now awaits the right offer to write his next chapter.
