Famous Footballers You May Recognise in Korea's K League 2020

South Korea became one of the first nations to offer football to fans worldwide since the global shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reigning champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defeated Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the opening game of the K League season.

While many high profile European and South American players have headed out to Asia in recent, most have ended up in China or Japan, with the South Korean top flight less well-funded and lower in profile.

Founded just 37 years ago in 1983, the K League is still relatively new and sees 12 teams compete to become champions and earn a place in the AFC Champions League. 12th place are relegated automatically to the K League 2, while 11th place enter a relegation playoff with teams at the top of the second division.

With all eyes on the K League for the time being (at least until the Bundesliga returns), now is as good a time as ever to take a look at some of the most well-known players in Korea.

Lee Dong-gook

The 41-year-old living legend currently represents Jeonbuk Hyundai, the league's most successful side.

After starting his career with Pohang Steelers, Lee first spent time in Europe with a season-long loan spell with Werder Bremen from 2000 to 2001, while (more famously) he moved to the Premier League with Middlesbrough in 2007.

Lee spent a season-and-a-half at Boro, but failed to make an impact in the English game (he failed to score in 23 Premier League appearances), returning to his homeland in 2008.

He signed with Jeonbuk in 2009, and has become an icon for the club.

The veteran striker has won seven K League titles (including the last three in a row), is the division's all-time top scorer and netted the winner in the opening game of the 2020 season against Suwon Bluewings.

Doneil Henry

The Canadian centre-back impressed with Toronto FC, before making a move to England to play with West Ham in January 2015.

He failed to live up to the potential however, and after just one appearance for the Hammers and loan spells to Blackburn and AC Horsens, was released from his contract in December 2017.

Henry returned to the MLS, but signed for Suwon Bluewings in November 2019, becoming the first ever Canadian to feature in the K League in the process.

Edu

One of many Brazilians to venture into the South Korean football system, Edu's career path is an interesting read.

He first moved to South Korea in 2007, signing for Suwon Bluewings from Mainz 05, but came back to Bundesliga in 2010 with Schalke.

He enjoyed a three-year spell with Schalke before moving on, and eventually returned to South Korea with champions Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2015, for whom he still plays today.

Adam Taggart

Australian striker Adam Taggart impressed in the A-League at the start of his senior career, which prompted Fulham to take a punt on him in 2014.

Unfortunately, injuries and inconsistencies hampered his time in England and Taggart returned to Australia after a failed loan spell at Dundee United.

In February 2019, Taggart moved abroad once more, signing for Suwon Bluewings. The 26-year-old remains a success there today, and was the K League top scorer in 2019 having scored 20 goals in 33 league appearances.

Aleksandar Pesic

One-cap Serbia internationl striker Pesic enjoyed three-year stint in Ligue 1 with Tolouse from 2014 to 2017, while he has also played for Atalanta (briefily), Red Star Belgrade and Sheriff Tiraspol.

He moved to Saudi Arabia, signing with Al-Ittihad in 2018, but signed for FC Seoul on a one-and-a-half year loan deal in February 2019. Expect to see him this season.

Osmar

An imposing defensive midfielder, Osmar started his career at boyhood club Racing Santander in La Liga, making 13 top-flight appearances before swapping Spain for Thailand in 2012.

He found his way to FC Seoul in 2014, where he became the first Spaniard ever to play in the K League. He has since made over 170 appearances for the capital city club.

Lee Chung-yong

Completing the list, Lee Chung-yong dropped out of middle school in order to be a success in football. He played at FC Seoul alongside Ki Sung-yeung up until 2009, when he moved to England to play for Bolton Wanderers.

Lee became a key player at Bolton, making 195 appearances in all competitions before moving to Crystal Palace in 2015.

Now 31, 89-cap Korea star Lee is back in his homeland having signed for Ulsan Hyundai ahead of the 2020 season.