Jeju United and Lee Chang-min (29) prepare to say ‘goodbye for a while’.
Lee Chang-min is the heart of Jeju’s midfield. His attacking instincts, as well as his accurate passing and ability to orchestrate the game, are top-notch. This season, Lee played 10 games and was a key contributor. His presence was crucial to Jeju’s five-game winning streak after a rough patch. Although he didn’t have an offensive point, he was a key contributor on several occasions.
However, Lee’s time with Jeju will come to an end. Chang-min’s enlistment date has been set for June 12. Lee will begin his service with Geoje Citizens Football Club in the K4 League. Born in 1993, he will have to complete his military service as a social service worker after crossing the commercial support threshold.
Lee played 201 league games for Jeju in the 2016 season. He’s been through the wringer. He helped Jeju to a league runner-up finish in 2017, the club’s golden season, and the club’s first-ever Asian Champions League (ACL) round of 16. In 2019, the team suffered a heartbreaking relegation, and the following year they won the K League 2 title and promotion. This is why Lee calls Jeju his second home.
With Lee’s enlistment date confirmed, his home farewell game will be on March 3 against Gangwon FC. The Jeju club has begun preparations for Lee’s home farewell game. Jeju will then play two away games against the Pohang Steelers and Ulsan Hyundai. Lee will enlist in the military after the game against Ulsan.
With Lee’s departure, there is also a lot of interest in his replacement. Jeju had planned to go with last season’s signing Choi Young-joon, as well as Koo Ja-cheol and Kim Bong-soo in the midfield. However, the plan was slightly disrupted when Choi suffered a long-term injury in the opening match. Choi is rehabbing in Suwon after surgery. It is unclear when he will return. 스포츠토토
Koo Ja-cheol and Kim Bong-soo won’t be enough to carry the team through the rest of the season. Not without resources. Lee Ki-hyuk is back from injury, 2003-born Han Jong-moo is a contender in the center, and Kang Yoon-sung, who will be discharged from the army at the end of June, is a versatile player who can play on the flanks and in midfield. Jeju and coach Nam Ki-il will have to start thinking about new combinations.
The departure was not unplanned, so the door is open for Jeju to target another midfielder in the summer transfer window. Jeju will be looking at a number of options, including domestic and foreign players.