'London Olympic Hero and Legendary Striker' Ji Dong-won Officially Announces Retirement: "Please Give Your Support for My New Life"

*This content was translated by AI.

Ji Dong-won, 35, the London Olympic hero and a standout in the Korean Bundesliga, is taking off his well-worn soccer cleats to conclude his 16-year professional career.

On the 7th, Ji Dong-won personally announced his retirement via his social networking service (SNS), bidding farewell to fans and the football community who had supported him for so long.

Ji stated, "Today, I am ending my joyful journey as a soccer player that began in 2010."

He continued, "Memories of time spent in various countries and teams, along with the glorious experiences with the national team, flash through my mind. Holding onto the excitement and passion I felt when I first started playing football and stepped onto the field, I will move forward with my life ahead."

Finally, he said, "I sincerely thank everyone who has been by my side for so long, cheering for me and loving me. Now, please continue to support Ji Dong-won as he embarks on a new chapter of his life, no longer just as a soccer player. Thank you," urging continued support for his second life.

Debuting professionally in 2010 after joining Jeonnam Dragons, Ji Dong-won immediately drew attention as a top-tier striker prospect, recording 8 goals and 4 assists in 26 official matches during his rookie season.

Building on his dominant performances in the K League, he moved directly to Europe. In 2011, he transferred to Sunderland in England's Premier League (EPL), becoming one of the few Korean attackers to play in England. He left a strong impression by scoring a dramatic winning goal against then-powerhouse Manchester City.

He later moved to Germany's Bundesliga, where he enjoyed his prime years. Playing for Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz, he spent nearly a decade in the Bundesliga. Notably, during his time at Augsburg, he led the team's survival and surprising rise alongside teammate Koo Ja-cheol, often scoring decisive goals against top Bundesliga clubs like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

After concluding his European career, Ji returned to Korea in the summer of 2021 by joining FC Seoul. Later, as a veteran at Suwon FC, he took on challenging tasks and guided younger teammates. Near the end of his playing days, he also experienced the Australian league with Macarthur FC.

His achievements with the national team are equally remarkable. Selected for the Seong In (CEO) team at just 19 years old in 2010, Ji Dong-won scored four goals at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, establishing himself as a key striker for the national squad.

Especially at the 2012 London Olympics, he played as a starting forward under former coach Hong Myung-bo, scoring a stunning first goal with a perfect left-footed mid-range shot against Great Britain in the quarterfinals. He played a pivotal role in creating Korea's historic first Olympic bronze medal in football. He later participated in major tournaments including the 2014 Brazil World Cup and the 2019 UAE Asian Cup, accumulating a total of 55 caps and 11 goals in A-match international play.

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*This content was translated by AI.