JESSE LINGARD has refuted claims he has moved to South Korea only to enhance his business interests – and has vowed to win trophies.
The former Manchester United star had been a free agent since his contract at Nottingham Forest expired at the end of last season.
However, the 31-year-old has now signed a two-year-deal with K-League side FC Seoul, with the option of a further year.
Lingard already has several projects away from football, including his own fashion brand ‘JLINGZ’ and a Cheshire-based jerk chicken restaurant ‘Jerk Junction’.
His entertainment company ‘JLINGS Esports’ also recently signed a new alliance with one of Korea’s most popular esports and entertainment brands ‘Liiv Sandbox’.
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Ironically, upon linking up with the Korean-based esports brand last August, Lingard said in a statement: “I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Asia when playing football and the fans have always been incredibly welcoming and passionate.
"It’s going to be a lot of fun and 100% I’m coming to Seoul soon”
However, at his unveiling at FC Seoul, Lingard said: “I'll focus on football, my personal business is nothing to do with football.
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"The most important thing to me is football.”
Lingard claims to have been approached by several clubs over the past few weeks, with the likes of Everton and numerous MLS clubs reportedly interested.
A switch to Saudi Arabia with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq looked to be on the cards but for a limit on the foreign players allowed in the Saudi Pro League.
But Lingard arrived in South Korea earlier this week to seal the deal, bizarrely being handed a flute on arrival in the airport, before standing on the table to pose for pictures at his official unveiling today.
Lingard explained: “I’m really excited, it’s a new challenge but I’ve accepted it.
"I’m here, I’m ready to embrace the culture. It’s a new beginning for me, a new chapter in my career.
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“I just want to enjoy playing football again and putting a smile on people’s faces and showing the Korea fans what I can do.
“When FC Seoul came into the equation, the commitment that they showed, they flew to Manchester to watch me train, I got put through some tests by the physios.
“They came with the contract on paper. There were multiple offers by they were all verbal.
"The commitment shown by Seoul showed their interest and how much they wanted me and I wanted to repay that by going to the club.”
Lingard’s last match was back in April 2023 in a 2-0 defeat for Forest against former suitors United – while his last trophy was the Europa League with the Red Devils in 2017.
FC Seoul have won six K-League titles in their history, the last coming in 2016 – but finished seventh last season, 21 points off title winners Ulsan Hyundai.
The new season begins on March 1, and Lingard added: “I am looking forward to getting back on the pitch and winning with FC Seoul because I am a winner and a competitor and I want to win a trophy while I am here.
“Personal goals, of course, I have them written down back at home. But it's about the team. I want to play for the team. We want to win every game that we can.
“I think the team spirit is going to be vitally important this season. As long as we stick together as a team, we can win as many matches as we can.
“Playing abroad and moving away from the family can always be difficult. I am always up for the challenge. I can always adapt to any culture which I'm looking forward to.”