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Lee Dong-gook

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Lee Dong-gook
Lee in November 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-04-29) 29 April 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Pohang, South Korea
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1995–1998 Pohang Steelers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2007 Pohang Steelers 102 (38)
2000–2001Werder Bremen (loan) 7 (0)
2003–2005Gwangju Sangmu (draft) 46 (12)
2007–2008 Middlesbrough 23 (0)
2008 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 10 (2)
2009–2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 356 (162)
Total 544 (214)
International career
1998–1999 South Korea U20 9 (6)
1999–2002 South Korea U23 29 (20)
1998–2017 South Korea 105 (33)
Medal record
Representing  South Korea
Men's football
AFC Asian Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Lebanon Team
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Indonesia/Malaysia
/Thailand/Vietnam
Team
EAFF Championship
Silver medal – second place 2010 Japan Team
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Busan Team
AFC Youth Championship
Gold medal – first place 1998 Thailand Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Lee Dong-gook
Hangul
이동국
Hanja
李同國
Revised RomanizationI Dong-guk
McCune–ReischauerI Tongguk

Lee Dong-gook (Korean이동국, Korean pronunciation: [i.doŋ.ɡuk̚]; born 29 April 1979) is a South Korean former footballer who played as a striker. He is a record scorer in the K League 1, and had brief spells in Europe with Werder Bremen and Middlesbrough. He has earned 105 international caps for South Korea since 1998, scoring 33 goals. He has played at two FIFA World Cups, two AFC Asian Cups and the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is holding the record of being the oldest Korean player to still play in professional football. In October 2020, Lee announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2020 season.[1]

Club career

Pohang Steelers

Lee started playing football for Pohang Steelers and scored eleven goals with outstanding performance in his first season. He also contributed to team's title with two winning goals in the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship. He was named the K League Young Player of the Year and made his debut for the South Korea national team. In January 2001, he was sent on loan to Werder Bremen of Bundesliga but he did not settle in Bremen and only appeared seven matches as a substitute during six months. At the 2002 Korean FA Cup, he led Pohang to the final by scoring in the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final, but failed to win. In March 2003, he left Pohang to perform his military service, joining the military team Gwangju Sangmu for two years. Early in the 2006 season, his performance was at its height with six goals in seven matches.[2] In April 2006, however, he tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee while playing in a league match that forced him out for six months, and was unable to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[3]

Middlesbrough

In January 2007, after being granted a work permit, Lee signed for Premier League club Middlesbrough on an 18-month contract.[4] On 24 February 2007, he made his debut, coming on as an 85th minute substitute for Yakubu in the 2–1 win against Reading.[5] On 29 August 2007, he scored his first goal against Northampton Town in the 2007–08 Football League Cup.[6] On 26 January 2008, he scored his second goal against Mansfield Town in the 2007–08 FA Cup.[7] However, he didn't score during 23 appearances in the Premier League and disappointed English fans.[8] His contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season and Middlesbrough decided not to extend his contract.[9]

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Lee signed a contract with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 2008. However, he was unsuccessful, and was transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2009 transfer window. On 15 March 2009, he scored a brace in his debut for Jeonbuk against Daegu FC. He became the top scorer in the 2009 K League, scoring 21 goals in 29 matches. Jeonbuk won the first league trophy in their history and he was named the Most Valuable Player. At the 2011 K League, he led team's second league title by recording 16 goals and 15 assists with 29 appearances. He became the Most Valuable Player and the top assist provider. He also led team to the 2011 AFC Champions League Final by scoring nine goals. Jeonbuk lost to Al Sadd after penalty shoot-out, but he was named the Most Valuable Player and top scorer. On 3 March 2012, he became the K League all-time leading scorer with 117 goals when he got two goals in the 2012 season opener against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.[10]

In 2013, Lee was involved in a bizarre incident in a K-League match against Seongnam FC when, while attempting to return the ball to Seongnam's goalkeeper after an injury stoppage, he accidentally struck it past him from 40 yards to level the score at 1-1. Jeonbuk goalkeeper Choi Eun-sung then sportingly scored an own goal on purpose to restore Seongnam's lead.[11]

On 15 March 2016, he scored his 30th AFC Champions League goal against Becamex Binh Duong and became the AFC Champions League all-time top scorer. On 26 November 2016, Jeonbuk won the 2016 AFC Champions League by defeating Al Ain in the final. On 2 June 2019, he scored his 200th career goal at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a match against Sangju Sangmu FC.[12]

On May 9 2020, Lee scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Suwon Bluewings, which was notable for being the first international league match, during the global COVID-19 pandemic.[13] On 1 November 2020, he played virtually last game of his 23-year playing career, and got his retirement ceremony immediately after the game. This game was the last round of the 2020 K League 1, and Jeonbuk decided their fourth successive title with 2–0 victory against Daegu FC.[14] On 8 November 2020, he played his last match as a substitute for eight minutes in the final of 2020 Korean FA Cup, getting his last trophy.

International career

Lee Dong-gook participated in the AFC U-19 Championship in 1998. He played with Kim Eun-jung as two top and led South Korea to win the title. Also, Lee was the top scorer and MVP of the competition.[15] Lee was a member of the South Korea national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He also took part in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup and finished top scorer with six goals.

In 2002, Lee was not chosen by Guus Hiddink to represent South Korea in 2002 FIFA World Cup. Fans called him "Lazy Genius", because they felt that he did not fully use his potential. This is also because Hiddink emphasized strong stamina, great power, and agile speed, which are the categories that Lee struggles in, except power.[16][17] He later admitted that he spent his days drinking and did not watch a single game that took place during the 2002 World Cup.[18]

Lee was coach Dick Advocaat's first-choice selection at forward for Korea ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but a knee injury suffered in a K League match forced him to miss the tournament.[3] On 1 November 2007, Lee was banned from the national team for twelve months after it was revealed that he, along with team captain Lee Woon-jae, teammates Kim Sang-sik and Woo Sung-yong, went on a late night drinking spree with several female employees during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, in which Korea received third place.[19] Unlike the other members who were involved in this incident, because Lee played for Middlesbrough in England, the KFA could not ban him from his club team matches.[20]

Lee was listed onto the national team line up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He came on as a substitute in the round of 16 against Uruguay, and got a crucial chance made by Park Ji-sung, but his shot lacked the power to clear the line. South Korea lost the game 2–1 after his mistake, and he was denounced by South Korean fans. In an entertainment program, he revealed that he had been worried about his family who could get hurt due to the criticisms about him.[21] He played in qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but was not listed on the final team for the tournament. After the World Cup he was recalled back to the team for a friendly match against Venezuela, where he scored a brace in a 3–1 victory, the national team's first win in nearly six months. In August 2017, Lee was called up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier games against Iran and Uzbekistan, being one of the oldest players on the squad.

Personal life

Lee married Lee Soo-jin, a runner up of Miss Korea 1997, in December 2005.[22] The couple have five children: twin daughters Lee Jae-si and Lee Jae-ah (born 14 August 2007), twin daughters Lee Seol-ah and Lee Soo-ah (born 18 July 2013) and son Lee Si-an, nicknamed Daebak (born 14 November 2014).

Lee, along with his five children, has appeared on the Sunday variety show The Return of Superman (aired on KBS World TV)[23] from 2015 to 2019. The Return of Superman shows famous Korean fathers taking care of their children for 48 hours without their wife. Lee is the first on the show to have five children to take care of.[24]

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 November 2020[25]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Pohang Steelers 1998 K League 15 7 0 0 9 4 ? ? 24 11
1999 K League 15 7 0 0 4 1 ? ? 19 8
2000 K League 7 4 0 0 1 0 8 4
2001 K League 17 3 2 1 19 4
2002 K League 21 7 4 3 0 0 25 10
2005 K League 17 3 3 0 7 4 27 7
2006 K League 10 7 0 0 0 0 ? ? 10 7
Total 102 38 9 4 21 9 132 51
Werder Bremen (loan) 2000–01 Bundesliga 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Gwangju Sangmu (draft) 2003 K League 27 11 0 0 0 0 27 11
2004 K League 19 1 2 0 4 3 25 4
2005 K League 1 0 1 0
Total 46 12 2 0 5 3 53 15
Middlesbrough 2006–07 Premier League 9 0 2 0 0 0 11 0
2007–08 Premier League 14 0 2 1 2 1 18 2
Total 23 0 4 1 2 1 29 2
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 2008 K League 10 2 0 0 3 0 13 2
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2009 K League 29 21 4 4 3 1 36 26
2010 K League 28 12 2 0 2 1 8 4 40 17
2011 K League 29 16 1 0 0 0 8 9 38 25
2012 K League 40 26 2 2 6 4 48 32
2013 K League 1 30 13 2 2 8 3 40 18
2014 K League 1 31 13 2 0 7 3 40 16
2015 K League 1 33 13 1 1 7 4 41 18
2016 K League 1 27 12 0 0 14[a] 5 41 17
2017 K League 1 30 10 1 0 31 10
2018 K League 1 35 13 2 0 8 4 45 17
2019 K League 1 33 9 0 0 8 1 41 10
2020 K League 1 11 4 1 0 1 0 13 4
Total 356 162 18 9 5 2 75 37 454 210
Career total 544 214 33 14 36 15 75 37 688 280
  1. ^ Includes one appearance in FIFA Club World Cup

International

As of 5 September 2017[26]
National team Year Apps Goals
South Korea U20 1998 6 5
1999 3 1
Total 9 6
South Korea U23 1999 14 12
2000 6 3
2002 9 5
Total 29 20
South Korea 1998 8 0
1999 0 0
2000 10 8
2001 6 1
2002 4 0
2003 1 0
2004 10 8
2005 15 4
2006 9 1
2007 7 0
2008 0 0
2009 4 0
2010 10 3
2011 2 0
2012 8 5
2013 5 0
2014 4 3
2015 0 0
2016 0 0
2017 2 0
Total 105 33
Career total 143 59

International goals

Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first.
Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
17 February 2000 Los Angeles  Costa Rica 1 goal 2–2 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
7 October 2000 Dubai  Australia 1 goal 4–2 2000 LG Cup
19 October 2000 Tripoli  Indonesia 3 goals 3–0 2000 AFC Asian Cup
23 October 2000 Tripoli  Iran 1 goal 2–1 (a.e.t.) 2000 AFC Asian Cup
26 October 2000 Beirut  Saudi Arabia 1 goal 1–2 2000 AFC Asian Cup
29 October 2000 Beirut  China 1 goal 1–0 2000 AFC Asian Cup
16 September 2001 Busan  Nigeria 1 goal 2–1 Friendly
10 July 2004 Gwangju  Bahrain 1 goal 2–0 Friendly
23 July 2004 Jinan  United Arab Emirates 1 goal 2–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup
27 July 2004 Jinan  Kuwait 2 goals 4–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup
31 July 2004 Jinan  Iran 1 goal 3–4 2004 AFC Asian Cup
8 September 2004 Ho Chi Minh City  Vietnam 1 goal 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 November 2004 Seoul  Maldives 1 goal 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
19 December 2004 Busan  Germany 1 goal 3–1 Friendly
9 February 2005 Seoul  Kuwait 1 goal 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
30 March 2005 Seoul  Uzbekistan 1 goal 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 June 2005 Kuwait City  Kuwait 1 goal 4–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 November 2005 Seoul  Serbia and Montenegro 1 goal 2–0 Friendly
15 February 2006 Los Angeles  Mexico 1 goal 1–0 Friendly
7 February 2010 Tokyo  Hong Kong 1 goal 5–0 2010 EAFF Championship
14 February 2010 Tokyo  Japan 1 goal 3–1 2010 EAFF Championship
3 March 2010 London  Ivory Coast 1 goal 2–0 Friendly
25 February 2012 Jeonju  Uzbekistan 2 goals 4–2 Friendly
29 February 2012 Seoul  Kuwait 1 goal 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 September 2012 Tashkent  Uzbekistan 1 goal 2–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 November 2012 Hwaseong  Australia 1 goal 1–2 Friendly
5 September 2014 Bucheon  Venezuela 2 goals 3–1 Friendly
14 October 2014 Seoul  Costa Rica 1 goal 1–3 Friendly

Filmography

Variety show

Year Title Network Role Note
2012 2 Days & 1 Night KBS Guest Episode 224-226
2015–2019 The Return of Superman KBS2 Cast Episode 89–298
2019 Knowing Bros JTBC Guest Episode 210
2020 Master in the House SBS Guest Episode 147-148

Honours

Player

Pohang Steelers

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

South Korea U20

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

Records

Entertainer

Year Award Category Work Result
2015 14th KBS Entertainment Awards Best Entertainer Award The Return of Superman Won
Male MC Newcomer Award Nominated
2016 15th KBS Entertainment Awards Top Excellence Award in a Variety Show Won
2018 16th KBS Entertainment Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Nominated

References

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