Lee Jae-sung (Korean이재성; born 10 August 1992) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bundesliga club Mainz 05 and the South Korea national team.[4]

Lee Jae-sung
Personal information
Full name Lee Jae-sung[1]
Date of birth (1992-08-10) 10 August 1992 (age 32)[2]
Place of birth Ulsan, South Korea
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
Mainz 05
Number 7
Youth career
2005–2007 Hakseong Middle School [ko]
2008–2010 Hakseong High School [ko]
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Korea University [ko]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2018 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 137 (26)
2018–2021 Holstein Kiel 93 (19)
2021– Mainz 05 103 (22)
International career
2012–2014 South Korea U23 14 (1)
2015– South Korea 94 (13)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Incheon Team
EAFF Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 China Team
Gold medal – first place 2017 Japan Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024
Lee Jae-sung
Hangul
이재성
Hanja
李在城
Revised RomanizationI Jaeseong
McCune–ReischauerRi Chaesŏng
IPA[i.dʑɛ̝.sʌŋ] or [i] [tɕɛ̝.sʌŋ]

Club career

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

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Lee joined Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2014 and made his debut in the 2014 AFC Champions League match against Yokohama F. Marinos on 26 February.[5] Choi Kang-hee, the manager of Jeonbuk at the time, praised his ability which kept balance about attack and defense of team, and actively used him, the newcomer.[6]

In 2016, he spent his best season by providing 17 assists during a year and winning the 2016 AFC Champions League.[7]

In the 2017 K League 1, he won the Most Valuable Player award after having eight goals and ten assists during 28 appearances.[7][8]

Holstein Kiel

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In July 2018, Lee joined 2. Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel on a three-year deal until 30 June 2021.[9] The transfer fee paid to Jeonbuk was reported as €1.5 million.[10] He played his first game against Hamburger SV on 4 August, and was named the player of the matchday by leaving a deep impression on kicker with two assists.[11]

After the end of the 2019–20 season, his goal against Karlsruher SC was selected as Kiel's Goal of the Season.[12]

On 13 January 2021, he played full time and scored the fourth penalty in a 2020–21 DFB-Pokal match, where Kiel won 6–5 on penalties after drawing 2–2 against Bayern Munich.[13] Afterwards, Kiel reached the semi-finals of DFB-Pokal for the first time in history, but they were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund.[14]

Kiel also finished third in the 2020–21 2. Bundesliga, qualifying for the promotion play-off. In the two-legged play-off, Lee scored a goal and provided an assist, contributing to all two of Kiel's goals, but they lost 5–2 on aggregate to Köln.[15][16]

Mainz 05

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In July 2021, Lee joined Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a three-year deal until 30 June 2024.[17]

After the first half of the 2021–22 season, Lee was ranked 10th in attacking midfielder rankings of kicker.[18]

Lee was named the player of the 22nd matchweek by kicker after dominating Borussia Mönchengladbach including a goal and an assist on 24 February 2023.[19] In that month, he was nominated for the Bundesliga Player of the Month by leading Mainz to three Bundesliga victories as well as having three goals and two assists,[20] but lost to Julian Brandt. He was also nominated for the Bundesliga Team of the Season because of his steady performance during the 2022–23 season, but failed to win.[21]

Lee seemed lethargic while Mainz earned only one win in the first half of the 2023–24 season, but he played a key role in saving his team from relegation during the second half of the season. He was named in Bundesliga player rankings selected by kicker for the third time.[22]

Lee scored two goals in a 2–1 win over Bayern Munich on 14 December 2024, leading Bayern to their first defeat in the 2024–25 Bundesliga.[23]

International career

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In the 2017 EAFF Championship, Lee led South Korea's title, and was named the Most Valuable Player and the Best Duel Player.[24]

Lee was named in South Korea's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,[25] and played all three games in the group stage. He also participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping South Korea advance to the knockout stage.

Style of play

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Lee possessed the ball for a short time, and showed more influence when moving without the ball. He preferred passing in a fast tempo to possessing, and had a high work rate to preoccupy suitable spots. His movement was also skilled in interceptions when defending.[26][27]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 14 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2014[7] K League 1 26 4 3 0 7[b] 1 36 5
2015[7] K League 1 34 7 1 0 9[b] 2 44 9
2016[7] K League 1 32 3 1 0 13[b] 1 2[c] 0 48 4
2017[7] K League 1 28 8 0 0 28 8
2018[7] K League 1 17 4 0 0 8[b] 1 25 5
Total 137 26 5 0 37 5 2 0 181 31
Holstein Kiel 2018–19[28] 2. Bundesliga 29 5 2 0 31 5
2019–20[29] 2. Bundesliga 31 9 2 1 33 10
2020–21[30] 2. Bundesliga 33 5 5 2 2[d] 1 40 8
Total 93 19 9 3 2 1 104 23
Mainz 05 2021–22[31] Bundesliga 27 4 3 0 30 4
2022–23[32] Bundesliga 34 7 2 0 36 7
2023–24[33] Bundesliga 29 6 2 0 31 6
2024–25[34] Bundesliga 13 5 1 0 14 5
Total 103 22 8 0 111 22
Career total 333 67 22 3 37 5 4 1 396 76
  1. ^ Includes Korean FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in AFC Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in Bundesliga relegation play-offs

International

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As of match played 19 November 2024[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
South Korea 2015 13 4
2016 6 0
2017 8 1
2018 14 2
2019 8 1
2020 2 0
2021 8 1
2022 8 0
2023 10 0
2024 17 4
Total 94 13
Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lee goal.[35]
List of international goals scored by Lee Jae-sung
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 31 March 2015 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea   New Zealand 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2 16 June 2015 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand   Myanmar 1–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 3 September 2015 Hwaseong Stadium, Hwaseong, South Korea   Laos 8–0 8–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 12 November 2015 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea   Myanmar 1–0 4–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 9 December 2017 Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan   China 2–1 2–2 2017 EAFF Championship
6 1 June 2018 Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea   Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 1–3 Friendly
7 7 September 2018 Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea   Costa Rica 1–0 2–0 Friendly
8 26 March 2019 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea   Colombia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
9 16 November 2021 Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Iraq 1–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
10 6 January 2024 New York University Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates   Iraq 1–0 1–0 Friendly
11 26 March 2024 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand   Thailand 1–0 3–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 10 October 2024 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan   Jordan 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 15 October 2024 Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin, South Korea   Iraq 3–1 3–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Korea Republic (KOR)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 17. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016: List of Players: Jeonbuk Hyundai" (PDF). FIFA. 14 December 2016. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017.
  3. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  4. ^ Lee Jae-sung at Soccerway
  5. ^ "Match Report - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Yokohama F. Marinos". AFC. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014.
  6. ^ 최강희 감독은 1년 전 이틀 만에 이재성을 알았다 (in Korean). News1. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "K League Portal" 이재성李在成 (in Korean). K League. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  8. ^ a b c [2017 K리그 어워즈] 표심 분석…과반수 ‘MVP’ 이재성, 90% 지지 ‘영플’ 김민재 (in Korean). SPOTVNEWS. 20 November 2017.
  9. ^ Geidel, Andreas (27 July 2018). "Transfer-Hammer: Jea-Song Lee und Jonas Meffert zu Holstein Kiel" (in German). Sportbuzzer. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Holstein Kiel verpflichtet Jae-Song Lee" (in German). Frankfurter Rundschau. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  11. ^ "2. Bundesliga Elf des Tages - 2018/19 - 1. Spieltag" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Lee hat das KSV-"Tor der Saison" 2019/20 geschossen!". Twitter.com (in German). Holstein Kiel. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  13. ^ "DFB-Pokal - Schema - Holstein Kiel 6:5 Bayern München" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Kiel geht unter: Dortmund steht nach historischer Halbzeit im Pokalfinale" (in German). kicker. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Joker Lorenz schockt Köln und hat Aufstieg im Visier" (in German). kicker. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Andersson macht's früh klar: Köln hält die Klasse" (in German). kicker. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  17. ^ "05er Verpflichten Jae-sung Lee". Mainz 05 (in German). 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Bundesliga - Rangliste - Winter 2021/22" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Bundesliga - Elf des Tages - 2022/23 - 22. Spieltag" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Raphael Guerreiro, Julian Brandt, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jae-sung Lee, Borna Sosa and Alphonso Davies nominated for February Player of the Month". Bundesliga. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Bundesliga divulga indicados à Seleção da Temporada 22/23; vote agora" (in Portuguese). OneFootball. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Rangliste Sommer 2024, Mittelfeld offensiv" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Jae-sung Lee double inflicts first league defeat on Bayern Munich". Bundesliga. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b "EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Final Japan". EAFF. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Lee Jae-sung - Stats & Scout Report | Mainz 05". ScoutingStats.AI. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Jae-sung Lee". FotMob. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Lee, Jae-Sung". KFA. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  36. ^ a b 이동국, K리그 최초 2년 연속 MVP…K리그 어워즈 3관왕 (in Korean). Mydaily. 1 December 2015.
  37. ^ [K리그 어워즈] 이재성·권창훈 등 포함, MF 부문 베스트11 선정 (in Korean). InterFootball. 8 November 2016.
  38. ^ "TSG Report: AFC Champions League 2016 - Part 3". AFC. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  39. ^ "The Best ACL2016 XI announced!". Asian Football Confederation. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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