S Korean footballer leaves for England to negotiate contract with Bolton FC

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's young football star Lee Chung-young, who
attracted interest from English Bolton Wanderers FC, left for England on Monday
to receive a medical check-up and wrap up a contract with the Premier League
club.
Reports said the club in northwest England is in talks with the 21-year-old
midfielder for a transfer fee of around US$3.5 million.
Lauded as a promising player, Lee won a Best 11 Award last season with five goals
and six assists. He also played for the South Korean team in the 2008 Beijing
Olympics.
Through a statement posted on the Internet, Lee's South Korean club, FC Seoul,
officially acknowledged that they had received a bid from the English club and
the two teams have agreed on Lee's move.
Lee will undergo a medical checkup and work out the details of the contract with
his new team during his trip, FC Seoul said.
"I know my transfer to England is not yet confirmed, but I will come back with a
favorable outcome," said Lee at Incheon International Airport before departing.
"The most important thing in playing in the Premier League is confidence. I will
do my best to adapt myself to new circumstances."
If the transfer becomes official, Lee will become the seventh South Korean
football player to join the top league, including Park Ji-sung of Manchester
United and Cho Won-hee of Wigan Athletic.
Bolton Wanderers finished 13th in the 2008-09 season, while FC Seoul is currently
at the top at the K-League for the 2009 season.
brk@yna.co.kr
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