Jesse Lingard signs for a new club after an eight-month wait

The former Manchester United midfielder has signed for a new club after more than eight months as a free agent.

Jesse Lingard has joined South Korean club FC Seoul on a two-year contract. The deal includes an option for another year.

The transfer ends a spell of eight months without a club for Lingard. He last played for Nottingham Forest, but left the Premier League club in July after only one season.

During his unveiling at FC Seoul, Lingard claimed he had received “many offers” but chose a fresh challenge in South Korea.

“FC Seoul showed me great passion,” the 31-year-old explained on his reason for joining the K League 1 club.

“They sent me a concrete offer on paper while other clubs contacted me verbally. They also came to Manchester to check my physical condition as well.”

Lingard had a trial at Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq team in Saudi Arabia last October. A move did not materialize, though. He eventually fired his team of agents, that included family members, after several failed enquires.

This move to South Korea will mark the first time the Englishman will play abroad in his career.

Lingard has spent the bulk of his playing days at Manchester United, where he made 232 appearances. He contributed 35 goals and 21 assists to help the club win the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, and the Europa League.

The 32-time England international also played for Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton, Derby, and West Ham on loan during his Red Devils career.

FC Seoul will hope Lingard can prove his money’s worth going into the 2024 season.

Kim Gi-dong’s side, who finished seventh in the K League 1 last season, will play Roasso Kumamoto in a friendly on Tuesday.