Lee opts to stay with Boro
28 Feb 2008 - 07:23:03
Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook has decided to stay on Teesside and will not now be returning to his former club, Pohang Steelers.
The 28-year-old moved to Boro from the K-League side in January 2007 and looked set to be on the verge of returning to his homeland before having a last-minute change of heart.
Reports in Seoul claimed that Boro had offered the South Korean - who has scored only two goals in 29 appearances for Gareth Southgate's side - back to Pohang as part of the deal that originally brought the player to Teesside.
The Steelers were given first refusal to sign the player on a free transfer, but Lee has decided not to sign his release form.
The Boro forward's contract expires in the summer, but he is believed to favour a move to another English club rather than a return to South Korea.