Jesse Lingard to Leave FC Seoul After 2025 Season

Jesse Lingard, the former Manchester United and England midfielder, will depart FC Seoul at the end of the 2025 K League 1 season after two years with the club, the team announced Friday. The 32-year-old, who served as captain, mutually agreed to terminate his contract to pursue opportunities in a different league, with his final match set for December 10 against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League Elite at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Lingard joined FC Seoul on a free transfer in February 2024, marking a surprise move to South Korea's top division after leaving Manchester United in 2022 following a brief stint at Nottingham Forest. Over 66 appearances, he scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists, including six goals and three assists in 26 matches during his debut 2024 season and 10 goals with four assists in 34 games this year. His contributions helped the club secure fourth place in 2024, their highest finish since 2019 and earning qualification for the AFC Champions League, though they ended 2025 in sixth among 12 teams.

The departure follows extensive discussions between Lingard and club officials, who sought to activate an extension option for a third season. "We had...