[Official Announcement] "From the moment I left, I only wanted IBK" Lee So-young returns after voluntarily leaving the team for eight months... Annual salary up to 150 million won

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee So-young (22), who played as an outside hitter for the South Korean women's national volleyball team, has chosen to stay with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea AlToss.

IBK Industrial Bank of Korea announced on the 30th that it proceeded with the contract after continuously monitoring Lee So-young's rehabilitation progress and determining that she would be able to compete in the upcoming season in good health.

The contract is for one year with an annual salary of 100 million won and an option of 50 million won. This comes eight months after she decided to forfeit her remaining salary following shoulder surgery and voluntarily left the team. Lee So-young had signed a three-year FA contract worth up to 2.1 billion won with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea after the 2023-2024 season ended. However, the two seasons with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea were disappointing. She played in only 34 matches and 104 sets over the two seasons, scoring just 74 points.

To make matters worse, she underwent shoulder surgery in November last year, which confirmed her absence for the season, and Lee So-young ultimately requested contract termination from IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. However, the club explained that her determination to make a comeback with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea was clear from the start. IBK Industrial Bank of Korea Volleyball Club stated, "Lee So-young expressed a strong will to challenge again with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea AlToss. She received offers from multiple clubs. She conveyed to the club her desire to show a comeback with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. The club highly evaluated the player's sincere attitude."

In this regard, an IBK Industrial Bank of Korea club official told StarNews, "Lee So-young said from the beginning that she wanted to return to us even when she was leaving. The condition was that we would watch over her rehabilitation. After completing some rehabilitation, she recently trained with our players several times."

It is also reported that she received approval from coach Masayoshi Manabe. An IBK Industrial Bank of Korea official said, "The coach observed the training process and said, 'If this player trains a little more, she will be very good.' After interviewing the player, the decision to sign her was made."

She is not yet at 100% condition. Lee So-young is focusing on rehabilitation with the goal of returning in the first round of the 2026-2027 season. An IBK Industrial Bank of Korea official stated, "We expect Lee So-young to return in time for the season opener. We plan not to have her play in the KOVO Cup if possible, but depending on her progress and the player's own will, she may also participate in the KOVO Cup."

Ahead of this season, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea is accelerating efforts to build the best possible team, including appointing the club's first foreign coach, signing Japanese SV League top-tier outside hitter Osanai Miwako (29, registered name Miwa), and assembling position-specific coaching staff. Lee So-young is seen as the final piece of the puzzle.

An IBK Industrial Bank of Korea official said, "Lee So-young possesses experience and leadership. She is a player who can have a positive impact on the team both on and off the court." He added, "The coach also determined that she is an essential player for team operations this season, so the club plans to actively support her to return in the best possible condition."

Lee So-young's determination is also exceptional. Lee So-young said, "I am grateful to have the opportunity to step onto the court again with IBK Industrial Bank of Korea Volleyball Club. I will do my best to return in good health and contribute to the team, and to repay the fans with excellent game performance."

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*This content was translated by AI.