ID :
191493
Tue, 06/28/2011 - 10:34
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/191493
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Football veteran Lee Young-pyo mulls retirement
INCHEON, June 28, (Yonhap) -- With his current contract with a Saudi club set to expire, Lee Young-pyo, a veteran defensive back, said Tuesday he is mulling retirement from football.
"I've been fielding offers from many clubs, but I am also thinking of retiring," Lee said upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. His two-year deal with Al Hilal in the Saudi Premier League expires at the end of this month.
Lee's Seoul-based agency, Jissen, said Monday the 34-year-old wing-back will not re-sign with Al Hilal. Lee said he felt two years in Middle East were enough.
"I had a good time in Saudi Arabia and had offers from other Saudi clubs," Lee said. "But I'd decided about six months ago that I'd leave Saudi Arabia."
The agency had said offers have come from Europe as well. But Lee said retirement has come into the equation.
"Some teams want to sign me, but there are things I want to do after retirement," Lee said. He already retired from international play in January. "I think the time has come for me to make an important decision."
Lee helped Al Hilal win back-to-back Saudi Premier League titles, and the team went undefeated in all 26 games with 19 wins and seven draws. He's long been known for his tireless energy.
"Physically, I can play at least one more season," Lee said. "But that will mean less time for me to prepare for my future."
He declined to elaborate on his future plans and said, "I am trying to decide whether it's better to start doing those things now or to keep playing for a while longer. I am going to take my time."
Lee looked back on his two-year Saudi career with positive memories, calling it a "special experience."
"This year, we won our second straight regular season title and also the league cup, so it was very gratifying," Lee said. "It was a precious opportunity to learn strengths and weaknesses of Middle East teams. I finally learned why South Korea always has a tough time against Middle East nations in big tournaments."
Lee, who represented South Korea at three World Cups, has also played for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and Borussia Dortmund in Germany's Bundesliga.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
"I've been fielding offers from many clubs, but I am also thinking of retiring," Lee said upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. His two-year deal with Al Hilal in the Saudi Premier League expires at the end of this month.
Lee's Seoul-based agency, Jissen, said Monday the 34-year-old wing-back will not re-sign with Al Hilal. Lee said he felt two years in Middle East were enough.
"I had a good time in Saudi Arabia and had offers from other Saudi clubs," Lee said. "But I'd decided about six months ago that I'd leave Saudi Arabia."
The agency had said offers have come from Europe as well. But Lee said retirement has come into the equation.
"Some teams want to sign me, but there are things I want to do after retirement," Lee said. He already retired from international play in January. "I think the time has come for me to make an important decision."
Lee helped Al Hilal win back-to-back Saudi Premier League titles, and the team went undefeated in all 26 games with 19 wins and seven draws. He's long been known for his tireless energy.
"Physically, I can play at least one more season," Lee said. "But that will mean less time for me to prepare for my future."
He declined to elaborate on his future plans and said, "I am trying to decide whether it's better to start doing those things now or to keep playing for a while longer. I am going to take my time."
Lee looked back on his two-year Saudi career with positive memories, calling it a "special experience."
"This year, we won our second straight regular season title and also the league cup, so it was very gratifying," Lee said. "It was a precious opportunity to learn strengths and weaknesses of Middle East teams. I finally learned why South Korea always has a tough time against Middle East nations in big tournaments."
Lee, who represented South Korea at three World Cups, has also played for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and Borussia Dortmund in Germany's Bundesliga.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
