Lee Jae-sung (footballer, born 1992)
Lee Jae-sung (; Hanja: 李在城, or ; born 10 August 1992) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bundesliga club Mainz 05 and the South Korea national team. Club career. Lee joined Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2014 and made his debut in the 2014 AFC Champions League match against Yokohama F. Marinos on 26 February. Choi Kang-hee, the manager of Jeonbuk at that time, praised his ability which keeps balance about attack and defense of team, and actively used him, the newcomer. In 2016, he spent  his best season by recording 17 assists during a year and winning the 2016 AFC Champions League. In the 2017 K League 1, he recorded eight goals and ten assists during 28 appearances, winning the Most Valuable Player award. In July 2018, Lee joined 2. Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel on a three-year deal until 30 June 2021. The transfer fee paid to Jeonbuk was reported as €1.5 million. He played his first game against Hamburger SV on 4 August, and was named the Player of the Matchday by leaving a deep impression with two assists. On 13 January  2021, he played full time and scored the fourth penalty in a 2020–21 DFB-Pokal match, where Kiel won 6–5 on penalties after drawing 2–2 against Bayern Munich. Afterwards, Kiel reached the semi-finals of DFB-Pokal for the first time in history, but they were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund. They also finished third in the 2020–21 2. Bundesliga, qualifying for the promotion play-off. In the two-legged play-off, Lee scored a goal and provided an assist, contributing to all two of Kiel's goals, but they lost 5–2 on aggregate to 1. FC Köln. During three years  at Kiel, he was named five times in the player rankings of "kicker" published twice every year. In July 2021, Lee joined Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a three-year deal until 30 June 2024. International career. In the 2017 EAFF East Asian Cup, he led the title of team, and was named the Most Valuable Player and the Best Duel Player. In May 2018, he was named in South Korea's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and played all three games in the group stage. Honours. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea U23 South Korea Individual