Jesse Lingard Reflects on Two Seasons with FC Seoul and Future Prospects
Jesse Lingard spent two seasons with FC Seoul in the K-League, having signed a two-year contract on 8 February 2024. During his time in South Korea, Lingard experienced personal growth, including captaining the side midway through his first season and supporting younger players in improving communication.
The move to Seoul followed a challenging 2022-23 period at Nottingham Forest, as well as fitness issues. Lingard took six months out before joining Seoul after the death of his grandmother in November 2023.
Living in a Han River penthouse alongside a translator named Ki Ji-yong and a friend, Lingard learned Korean with the help of a young teammate, Ham Sun-woo, and developed cross-cultural friendships. He embraced the unique aspects of Seoul's culture, such as encountering live octopus cuisine, fans blocking team buses, and dinner etiquette where the eldest begins eating first.
In the 2024 season, Lingard scored 6 goals and made 3 assists in 26 appearances, with FC Seoul finishing 4th in the league. The 2025 season saw him net 10 goals and 4 assists in 34 league appearances, along with 3 goals and 3 assists in six AFC Champions League matches. Seoul stood fifth in the East Region with two matches remaining.
In his final four appearances for FC Seoul, Lingard covered 11.4 to 12.4 kilometers per game, with 9 to 10 percent of that distance at high intensity.
Lingard left Seoul following an emotional farewell after scoring in a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City. A video tribute praised him as captain, and the club stated he would always be remembered as a part of FC Seoul.
Looking ahead, Lingard is open to signing with a new club in Europe, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE ahead of the January transfer window.
