*This content was translated by AI.
Lee Chung-yong (38), who was at the center of controversy with a golf ceremony to shoot Shin Tae-yong, the former Ulsan HD coach during the season, ended his trip with Ulsan. Lee Chung-yong apologized to his fans late for the ceremony at the time, and Ulsan's former and current players left a farewell message to Lee Chung-yong on social media.
Jung Seung-hyun introduced Lee Chung-yong on his SNS on the 26th as "Our legend who won the Asian Champions League, won the championship for the first time in 17 years and won three consecutive games together," and said, "We will not forget how much sacrifice and dedication my brother has made and what he has been like and how much he has been a support to us." "I'm sorry and feel heavy that it's hard to put into words, but I believe I'll be able to meet my brother here again someday," he wrote.
Lee Kyu-sung also said, "It's an honor and I was really happy to be able to spend a section of my football life together," adding, "The three years we played together will remain really important to me. It has always been and will remain the best for me. I hope you are happy," he said in a social media post, leaving a farewell message to Lee Chung-yong.
Cho Hyun-woo also said, "It was a great honor to be together," adding, "I won't be able to forget what my brother said to me when I was nervous, 'I was able to come this far thanks to Hyun-woo.' I sincerely support you to shine like an older brother everywhere," he said.
Former colleagues such as Um Won-sang, Lee Myung-jae, Joo Min-kyu (Daejeon Hana Citizen) and Yoon Il-rok (Gyeongnam FC), who are not now affiliated with Ulsan, also left a message of support and appreciation for Lee Chung-yong leaving Ulsan. Not only the players, but also some former and current club employees.
Earlier on the 25th, Lee Chung-yong was confirmed to break up with the Ulsan club through the club's official channel. The Ulsan club said, "The dedication and responsibility on the ground have been a great help to the team and fellow players, and it has made Ulsan's path harder," adding, "I will remember all the moments we have built together in the Big Crown." Lee Chung-yong's career record for six seasons since joining Ulsan in 2020 is 15 goals and 12 assists in 161 games.
However, Lee Chung-yong was at the center of the controversy by performing a ceremony of golf swing after scoring a penalty goal against Gwangju FC in October last year. The prevailing interpretation was that this ceremony was a ceremony aimed at former coach Shin Tae-yong. This is because a photo of coach Shin's golf bag on the club bus was circulated in the community and the controversy grew.
In particular, the controversy grew because it was a ceremony that virtually recognized the rumors of discord between veterans such as Shin Tae-yong and Lee Chung-yong, but Lee Chung-yong and the Ulsan captain's team declined to say anything, saying they would explain it after the season. Afterwards, Lee Chung-yong belatedly apologized to his fans in a handwritten letter after his farewell to the Ulsan club was confirmed.
Lee Chung-yong said, "In my soccer life, Ulsan was the team that allowed me to spend the hottest and most valuable time as a player and as a person," adding, "I spent that time giving everything to myself with the thought that I wanted to repay more than I received." "Naturally, I spent every day with the responsibility of representing Ulsan as a player and with the heart of being a part of the city of Ulsan," he said.
"The time I spent in Ulsan has become not just a page of my career, but an important part of my life. Not only in the moment of victory but also in the difficult moments, I always thought of Ulsan first and stood on the ground," he said. "We achieved many things together. The moments of victory, the sweat and tears that I shed with my colleagues, and the enthusiastic support of the fans who have always sent me will remain an unforgettable memory in my life," he added.
Lee Chung-yong said, "However, I feel a clear responsibility as a player for disappointing many people due to my ceremony last season, and I sincerely apologize to the fans. As a player and as a senior, I think I should have acted more rationally rather than putting my emotions ahead, he said. "I wanted to say goodbye with a smile, so it remains a pity to be able to say goodbye like this." Lee Chung-yong, who became a free agent, now has to find a new team. The future course of action is up in the air.
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*This content was translated by AI.
