Jesse Lingard completes FC Seoul deal and accepts modest new weekly wage

Jesse Lingard is set to become the highest-paid player in the K League after agreeing to join FC Seoul - but is now on a fraction of what he earned in the Premier League

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Sport

Kieran King and Kasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist

10:15, 08 Feb 2024Updated 10:21, 08 Feb 2024

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Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard attending his press conference in Seoul

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has taken a huge pay-cut to join his new club.

The 31-year-old is set to complete his move to South Korean side FC Seoul after spending over half of the season without a club. Lingard will reportedly become the highest-paid player in the K League, having flown out on Sunday to agree terms and complete a medical.

But his weekly wage is still only expected to amount to 17,500-a-week. The Mirror report that is in stark contrast to the eye-watering 115,00-per-week base salary he was on at his previous club Nottingham Forest.

Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong confirmed talks with Lingard, who hasn't played a competitive game since his stint at Nottingham Forest. He said: "I heard about it two to three weeks ago and I thought it was unrealistic.

"I asked our director of football about it and he replied to me: yes, it's true, we are in contact with the player, but the deal is not confirmed yet.

Do you think Jesse Lingard made the right move? Let us know in the comments section.

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Jesse Lingard has not played a competitive game since last April (Image: STR/YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images)

"If he comes, of course, it would be great for K-League as more foreign fans would be interested in our league. And if he comes as he was not playing for a while, we need to give him time to adapt rather than expect an instant impact."

Lingard was spotted at the airport on Sunday night, ready to board a Korean Air flight. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a crowd of fans at Incheon airport and given a flute as a quirky welcome gift, a nod to one of his famous goal celebrations.

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Jesse Lingard made huge money at Nottingham Forest last season but flopped there(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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The Red Devils academy graduate stands to make 910,000-per-year in Seoul. He reportedly received offers from as many as 25 clubs from around the world, including Serie A side Lazio.

FC Seoul, who have won the K League six times and made it to the final of the Asian Champions League twice, will kick off their 2024 season with a match against Gwangju on March 2.

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