Korean footballer vows strong showing in Scotland

By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football star Ki Sung-yueng, who recently
joined Scotland's Celtic FC, said he hoped to contribute to his new team's
success by helping his teammates score and knocking in a few goals himself.
"I am really proud of playing for Europe's leading club," said Ki at a press
conference in downtown Seoul. "I will do my best to get accustomed to the
Scottish league as soon as possible and contribute to the team's victory."
The 20-year-old, who signed with Celtic FC of Scotland's Premier League for a
four year contract last week, has appeared in 17 international matches, including
World Cup qualifiers, earning the Asian Young Player of the Year award by the
Asian Football Confederation.
"We believe that he is an extremely talented player with amazing potential," said
Peter Lawwell, the European team's chief executive who came here to give Ki his
new Celtic uniform. "We see Ki is a highly technical player. The coach likes
players who can control the game, control the ball, and we think Ki is able to do
this," he said during a press conference.
Ki, who moves to the Scottish team in the middle of the 2009-10 season, said that
he should be physically ready to make his Scotland debut in January. He was given
his new jersey with the No. 18 emblazoned on the before joining the team on Jan.
1.
"I've been off form since the K-league ended last month but I'm trying to improve
my condition as soon as possible to play as many games this season."
He said that as a midfielder he will focus on helping his teammates score goals
but also hoped to get five to six goals in a season.
"I want to be a player who contributes to his team," said Ki.
brk@yna.co.kr
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