‘Daegu Sun’s Son’ Lee Geun-ho officially announces retirement…”Thank you for 20 years of love…Finish the remaining 5 games in style”
‘South Korean soccer legend’ Lee Geun-ho is retiring for the final time this season.
Credits roll. Daegu FC officially announced that Lee Geun-ho will leave the ground where he dedicated his youth after the 2023 season.
As a result, Daegu FC’s Final A Match 5 will be a farewell match for the ‘Legend’. Lee will say goodbye to fans through five matches in the 2023 K League 1 Final A Rounds 34-38. Daegu will host Incheon United in the 38th round of the K League 1 on Dec. 3 at DGB Daegu Bank Park as a retirement ceremony for Lee Geun-ho. Daegu will hold the world’s warmest and most spectacular retirement ceremony for Lee Geun-ho, the “Steamed Pro” and K League fans’ favorite player who has played every day as if it were his last for 20 seasons since joining Incheon in 2004 until 2023.
Lee has 80 goals and 53 assists (as of October 16) in 385 career matches in the K League, and is a self-proclaimed K League legend who has won one K League 1 title (Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2015), one K League 2 title (Sangju Sangsang in 2014), two Asian Champions League titles (Ulsan Hyundai in 2012 and 2020), and the 2012 Asian Champions League MVP and Player of the Year award. He has scored 19 goals in 84 caps for his country, including the opening goal against Russia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, making him one of the leading strikers in South Korea and Asia.
Lee began his professional career with Incheon United shortly after graduating from Incheon Bupyeong High School in 2004. He moved to Daegu in 2007, where he hit his stride. In two seasons, he scored 23 goals and nine assists in 59 games and earned his first senior national team call-up. He went on to play for Jubilo Iwata and Gamba Osaka in the J-League before returning to the K League Ulsan Hyundai in 2012 to resolve military issues, followed by stints with Sangju Sangsang (military service), 먹튀검증토토사이트 El Jaish (Qatar), Jeonbuk, Jeju, Gangwon, and Ulsan before returning to Daegu in 2021 after 13 years. For Lee, Daegu is his “second home,” where he is known as the “Son of the Sun” and has opened a new chapter in the sport.
Lee’s warm leadership and impeccable professionalism on and off the field helped the team achieve its best ever results (3rd place in the K League 1 and a spot in the ACL Round of 16). This season, he served as vice-captain and led the team to the Final A, setting an example with his sincere play and good character on the field, endearing him to many K League fans as well as his peers in the soccer world.
Shortly after announcing his retirement, Lee said, “I am very happy to retire from Daegu. I have received a lot of love in the 20 years since I entered the professional stage. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart.” “I will never forget this moment with my Daegu family. There are still five games left, so I will play my best and finish with a smile on my face.”
Daegu will release a series of retirement ceremonies and MDs to commemorate Lee’s final season and final game, leading up to the final home game. Lee will join Daegu head coach Choi Won-kwon at the media day for the K League 1 Final Round on the morning of Dec. 18, and will hold a retirement press conference after his retirement game and retirement ceremony on Dec. 3.