[Official] "Escape from Iran with shells." Lee Ki-je started from Thailand... He joined Bangkok in a surprise move, "Waiting to play in the semifinals of ACL2."

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ki-je (34), who returned to Korea from Iran to escape the war, will start his new soccer life in Thailand.

Thailand's professional football Thai League 1 Bangkok United officially announced the recruitment of Lee Ki-je on the 13th (Korea Standard Time) through public media (SNS). Although the club did not disclose the details of the contract, according to soccer statistics 'Transfermarkt', it is known that they signed a short-term contract until June 30 this year.

Bangkok said, "Lee Ki-je has experience in the K-League and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. "It will be a boost to Bangkok's side defense, which is trying to advance to the AFC Champions League (ACL2) finals," he said.

Bangkok will play the second leg of the ACL2 semifinal of the 2025-2026 season against Gamba Osaka (Japan) at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand at 9:15 p.m. on the 15th. Bangkok, which won 1-0 on the road in the first leg, is determined to win the second game with Lee Ki-je and reach the final.

The club said on its official SNS, "Lee Ki-je is ready to be part of the squad in ACL2, an important game."

Lee Ki-je, who played as a key member of Suwon Samsung in the K League 2 from 2018 to 2025, moved to Iran's professional football Mesrap Sanjan in January. Immediately after joining the team, he played full season for five consecutive games and quickly melted into the team. However, on the 28th of last month, the local league was completely suspended as the dispute between the United States, Israel and Iran intensified into an all-out war.

Not only the league suspension, but more of a problem was his safety. In the chaos where shells are dropped across Iran, Lee Ki-je was evacuated to the Korean Embassy in Iran. Afterwards, under the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he traveled to Turkmenistan on a bus prepared by the embassy with 24 other Korean residents and returned home through Incheon International Airport on the 4th of last month. It was truly a difficult journey home.

Lee Ki-je, who stabilized with his return home, was once expected to return to the K-League. However, wearing the Bangkok uniform, he made his second career advancement overseas.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.