Footballer Lee Chun-soo seeks respect from younger teammates

Lee Chun-soo, a controversial footballer recently granted approval to return to the top South Korean professional league, said Wednesday he’d like to earn respect from his teammates.

Lee, 31, has joined Incheon United in the K League Classic. He had previously been on the league’s banned list following his abrupt departure from another team in the league, Chunnam Dragons, in 2009. He needed Chunnam’s permission to play in South Korea again, and the team gave him the go-ahead last week and traded him to Incheon, Lee’s hometown team.

As he was formally introduced as the team’s newest member on Wednesday, Lee spoke about his biggest goal for the upcoming season.

“I’d like to become a player recognized and respected by my younger teammates,” he said. “I will let my actions do all the talking. I will play every game fair and square.” (Yonhap News)