Lee Dong-gook

Lee Dong-gook (born 29 April 1979) is a South Korean former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He is a record scorer in the K League 1, and had brief spells in Europe with Werder Bremen and Middlesbrough.

He also played for the South Korea national football team at two FIFA World Cups and three AFC Asian Cups.

In 1998, Lee joined a K League club Pohang Steelers and started his professional career instead of entering university.

Lee was named the Rookie of the Year after scoring eleven goals for Pohang in his first K League season.

He also helped Pohang win the Asian Club Championship in that year.

In 1998, Lee's father offered a bribe to an employee of the Military Manpower Administration in order to dodge Lee's military service.

In January 2001, he was sent on loan to a Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, but he failed to settle in Bremen.

He played only seven matches as a substitute during six months.

The conspiracy ended in smoke, and was revealed by the prosecutor's office in October 2001.

Lee and his father were criticised for their conspiracy, but the court only ordered the monetary penalty of his father.

Lee wasn't punished at all, and even got an opportunity to exempt from military service by participating in the 2002 Asian Games.

However, he failed to won a gold medal in the Asian Games despite the special treatment, and had to perform his obligation.

In March 2003, he joined the military team Gwangju Sangmu.

He scored six goals during seven league matches in early 2006 when his performance was at its height.

In April 2006, however, he tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee while playing in a league match that forced him out for six months, and was unable to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In January 2007, after being granted a work permit, Lee signed for Premier League club Middlesbrough on an 18-month contract.

On 24 February 2007, he made his debut, coming on as an 85th minute substitute for Yakubu in the 2–1 win against Reading.

On 29 August 2007, he scored his first goal against Northampton Town in the 2007–08 Football League Cup.

His contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season and Middlesbrough decided not to extend his contract.

On 26 January 2008, he scored his second goal against Mansfield Town in the 2007–08 FA Cup.

However, he didn't score during 23 appearances in the Premier League and disappointed English fans.

Lee signed a contract with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 2008, but his difficult time was continued.

He was transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2009 transfer window.

In the 2009 K League, Lee became the top scorer by scoring 21 goals during 29 appearances, and Jeonbuk won their first-ever league trophy.

He was named the Most Valuable Player after spending a successful season.

In the 2011 K League, Lee recorded 16 goals and 15 assists during 29 appearances, leading Jeonbuk's second league title.

He became the Most Valuable Player once again as well as the top assist provider.

He also led Jeonbuk to the 2011 AFC Champions League Final after scoring nine goals until the semi-finals.

Jeonbuk lost the final to Al Sadd after penalty shoot-out, but he was named the Most Valuable Player and the top scorer.

On 3 March 2012, Lee became the K League's all-time leading scorer with 117 goals when he got two goals in the 2012 season opener against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

In 2013, Lee was involved in a bizarre incident in a K League match against Seongnam FC.

While attempting to return the ball to Seongnam's goalkeeper after an injury stoppage, he accidentally struck it past him from 40 yards to level the score at 1–1.

Jeonbuk goalkeeper Choi Eun-sung then sportingly scored an own goal on purpose to restore Seongnam's lead.

Lee won his third and fourth MVP award after adding K League titles in 2014 and 2015.

On 15 March 2016, Lee scored his 30th AFC Champions League goal against Becamex Binh Duong and became the AFC Champions League's all-time top scorer.

On 26 November 2016, Lee and Jeonbuk won the 2016 AFC Champions League after defeating Al Ain in the final.

In the 2016 K League 1, Jeonbuk was deducted nine points for bribing two referees, and Korean fans protested that the punishment was too light.

However, Lee ignored the corruption of his club, and didn't accept the result after losing the league title.

On 2 June 2019, he scored his 200th career goal at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a match against Sangju Sangmu.