‘I Made Such a Bond’ – Jesse Lingard Reflects on FC Seoul Journey and Says He Is Open to New Opportunities Ahead of January Transfer Window

Jesse Lingard Says He Is “Open” to New Opportunities After Emotional FC Seoul Exit

Jesse Lingard speaks about football these days with a different tone. There is less noise, less urgency, and far more reflection. After closing the chapter on his time with FC Seoul earlier this month, the former Manchester United midfielder has found himself back in England, surrounded by family, quietly considering what comes next. With the January transfer window approaching, Lingard has made it clear he is “open” to new opportunities, wherever they may come from.

It follows an emotional farewell to South Korea, a place he admits he never expected to call home, but one that ended up reshaping both his career and outlook on life. For Lingard, the journey with FC Seoul was about much more than goals or appearances. It was about escape, rediscovery, and building bonds that he believes will last long after the football stops.

Lingard and FC Seoul Agree Contract Termination in December

Earlier in December, Lingard confirmed via Instagram that he and FC Seoul had mutually agreed to terminate his contract. His final appearance came in the AFC Champions League against Melbourne City, a fitting stage for a player who embraced the continental challenge wholeheartedly. Lingard even signed off in style, scoring in a 1-1 draw at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

“My time in South Korea has been unbelievable – the football, the atmosphere and the passion around this club have been top class,” Lingard wrote at the time. “The love, support and appreciation you have shown towards me for these last two years has been truly amazing. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club.”

Those words were not posted lightly. Lingard joined FC Seoul in February 2024 on a free transfer, at a point when many believed his best days were behind him. Instead, he became one of the faces of the K League, scoring 18 goals across 67 appearances and emerging as a leader in a young squad under Kim Gi-dong.

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A Move That Was Never in the Original Plan

Lingard has openly admitted that FC Seoul was not on his radar when the offer first arrived. In truth, Asia felt like an unknown world for a player who had grown up inside one of the most scrutinised environments in global football.

“I was shocked at first because I didn’t know anything about Seoul,” Lingard told The Guardian. “But when I started to think about it, I thought it could be a chance to reset, to get away from the noise in Manchester.”

That word – noise – comes up often when Lingard reflects on his earlier career. Manchester, he says, is full of distractions. Fame, expectations, social life, and constant attention can easily blur the lines between football and everything else.

“There’s a lot of distractions. You can get roped into going out and stuff like that,” he explained. “I just wanted to get away and really knuckle down on the football part.”

South Korea offered exactly that. Fewer headlines, fewer cameras, and a culture built on discipline and respect. For Lingard, it became the ideal environment to reconnect with the game.

Life and Football at FC Seoul

On the pitch, Lingard quickly became one of FC Seoul’s key figures. His experience, movement, and ability to operate between the lines gave the team a different dimension. He was not just a former Premier League name passing through; he was fully invested.

Off the pitch, however, the adjustment was not always easy. Lingard was surprised by the facilities when he first arrived. FC Seoul, despite being six-time K League 1 champions, operate with fewer luxuries than elite European clubs.

“There’s no canteen,” Lingard revealed. “So you have to go out for lunch. There’s no under-soil heating at the training ground or the stadium. There aren’t even seats in the dressing room.”

Training conditions could be unforgiving, especially during winter. Snow and ice sometimes made outdoor sessions impossible, forcing the squad into the gym or onto Astroturf pitches.

“If it’s snowing or icy, you can’t train,” he said. “We had games where half the pitch was basically ice. We had to play most of the football on one side.”

Yet Lingard never framed these experiences as complaints. Instead, he speaks about them with humour and perspective, seeing them as part of what made the journey unique.

Building Bonds Beyond Language Barriers

Perhaps the most revealing part of Lingard’s FC Seoul story is how deeply he connected with teammates despite cultural and language differences. Communication initially relied on translators, particularly with head coach Kim Gi-dong, but relationships soon developed organically.

Lingard describes his Korean as “good” now, crediting a young teammate, Ham Sun-woo, for helping him learn.

“When I joined for my first pre-season, he’d come to my room. He couldn’t speak English, but he was there, trying my hats on, looking at my watch,” Lingard laughed. “He had good energy, a good vibe, and we just clicked.”

They learned from each other, picking up words, phrases, and habits. Eventually, they could go out for dinner together without translators, a small but meaningful milestone.

Lingard also recalled his first cultural shock during meals with younger players.

“In their culture, they wait for the oldest person to start eating first,” he said. “My food hadn’t come, theirs was there, and they weren’t eating. I kept telling them, ‘Eat, mine is coming.’ They refused. That really surprised me.”

Those moments, Lingard says, are what he will remember most.

‘I Made Such a Bond’

As emotional as his departure from Manchester United was years ago, Lingard admits leaving FC Seoul stirred similar feelings.

“I cried when I left United,” he said. “And I made such a bond over these last two years with the players and fans in Seoul that it was always going to be emotional again. I think I’ve left a strong legacy.”

That sense of legacy matters to him now more than individual statistics. While his 18 goals in South Korea tell part of the story, the respect he earned inside the club arguably means more.

Fans embraced him not as a former Premier League star, but as one of their own.

Jesse Lingard Open to New Opportunities Ahead of January Transfer Window

Manchester United v Crystal Palace – The Emirates FA Cup Final

Now 33, Lingard finds himself at another crossroads. He is back in England, training individually, spending time with family, and waiting to see what the January transfer window brings.

“I’m open,” he said simply.

That openness extends across continents. Europe, Saudi Arabia, the UAE – nothing is ruled out. Lingard’s priority is to keep playing, to stay competitive, and to enjoy football again.

His career has already spanned major highs, including 232 appearances for Manchester United, four major trophies, and that unforgettable FA Cup final winner in 2016. He earned 32 England caps, scored six international goals, and played a key role in the Three Lions’ run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Yet Lingard speaks less about what he has done and more about what he still wants to do.

Perspective Gained Through Experience

Time in Asia has given Lingard clarity. He no longer measures success purely through status or spotlight. Instead, it is about contribution, balance, and feeling valued.

That perspective could make him an appealing option for clubs looking not just for talent, but for leadership and professionalism.

Where he ends up next remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Jesse Lingard is not finished, and he is approaching the next chapter with calm rather than desperation.

As January approaches, the midfielder who once thrived under the brightest lights is ready, once again, to step into the unknown.