Lee Seung-yeoul (; born 6 March 1989), also romanised as Lee Seung-ryul, is a former South Korean footballer who played as a striker or winger.
Club career A graduate of Shingal High School, Lee entered the 2008 K League draft and joined FC Seoul. He scored five goals including three winning goals while playing 31 matches as a striker in his first professional season. He was named the K League Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.
On 7 March 2009, Lee scored a goal in Seoul's season opener against Jeonnam Dragons, which ended in a 6–1 win. He made 21 appearances and 5 goals at the 2009 K League, while concentrating on the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In 2010, Lee simultaneously played for Seoul and the national team. During the 2010 season, he had 10 goals and six assists in 28 matches, and won a K League title. He was evaluated as one of the best South Korean talents at the time, and played a match against Greece at the 2010 FIFA World Cup under Huh Jung-moo, the national team manager.
Contrary to expectation, Lee's capability was in decline since 2011. He scored only one goal in 2011, and transferred to several K League clubs as well as J1 League club Gamba Osaka to find a turning point in his career. He finished his professional career without a reversal after leaving Suwon FC in 2016. After retiring, he criticised his agent for sending him to clubs, who did not consider him as a main player. According to him, he complained to the agent about dogmatic negotiations and his lack of playing time, but a 20-year unfair contract with the agent caught up with him.
International career On 9 January 2010, Lee made his first international cap for South Korea in a 4–2 friendly defeat to Zambia.
Lee scored his first and second international goal against Hong Kong and Japan, respectively, at the 2010 East Asian Football Championship. He became the tournament's joint-top scorer with two goals.
Lee played as a 87th-minute substitute in South Korea's opener against Greece at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Afterwards, he was benched for the next three matches. Despite playing only five minutes, he expressed a deep impression he felt at that moment in an interview after the competition.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup League cup Asia Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals FC Seoul2008K League21310102——3252009K League215204271103582010K League2371033—2029102011K League17110104010241 Total8216501871114012024Gamba Osaka2012J1 League800000——80Ulsan Hyundai (loan)2012K League14210—50—202Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma2013K League 123321———254 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors2014K League 190??—20—1102015K League 130??—00—30 Total120??—20—140Suwon FC2016K League 140??———40 Career total14321811871814019130
International + List of international goals scored by Lee Seung-yeoul No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 7 February 2010 Tokyo, Japan 4–0 5–0 2010 EAFF Championship 2 14 February 2010 Tokyo, Japan 2–1 3–1 2010 EAFF Championship 3 16 May 2010 Seoul, South Korea 1–0 2–0 Friendly
Honours FC Seoul K League 1: 2010 Korean League Cup: 2010
Ulsan Hyundai AFC Champions League: 2012
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors K League 1: 2014, 2015
South Korea EAFF Championship runner-up: 2010
Individual K League Rookie of the Year: 2008 EAFF Championship top goalscorer: 2010 K League All-Star: 2010
References
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