S. Korea's Lee Chung-yong receives British work permit

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football player Lee Chung-yong has
received a work permit from the British government, paving the way for him to
make his English Premier League debut in the upcoming season, his agent here said
Wednesday.

The 21-old-player reached an agreement on a three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers
last month for a transfer fee of some 2.1 million pounds (US$3.5 million) to his
former club, South Korea's FC Seoul.
"The work permit was issued and Lee will leave for England on Thursday to attend
an official signing ceremony," his agency Ti Sports said.
The winger, who has made 15 appearances for his national team, will become the
seventh South Korean athlete to play in the world's top league after Park Ji-sung
of Manchester United and Cho Won-hee of Wigan Athletics.
Lauded as a promising player, Lee won a Best 11 Award last season with five goals
and six assists. He also took part in the Beijing Olympics last year.
The club in northwest Britain 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
(END)