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| Lee Geum-min, second from right, practices for Women's World Cup 2019 at Stade Louis Boury in Gennevilliers, France in this June 3 file photo. Korea Times file |
By John Duerden
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| Lee Geum-min |
Lee joins two of her compatriots in one of the world's leading leagues. Cho So-hyun is with West Ham United and Ji So-yun is a member of Chelsea.
Now the two London-based stars will cross swords with the North West-based forward in the next season. Lee has been one of the WK League's most talented attackers in recent years with Seoul and Gyeongju. There are high hopes she can shine just as brightly in England.
"Firstly I want to thank (Gyeongju) for helping to make this a positive move," Lee said. "Moving to Manchester City will be a big turning point in my football life. Everyone dreams to play in England, I dreamed it too, but I never expected it would become a reality. I feel honored to be coming to England, and I do so with the mission of representing Korea with the best of my ability."
Lee's contract is set to last two years with the club ready to announce the deal when the paperwork, such as her U.K. work permit, is all completed.
"My level is not yet the Manchester City level, but this excites me because I welcome the challenge to become a better player. As a player I am always looking to improve. I know they are making a big investment into Women's football in England and that shows in the development of their players."
Despite being just 25, Lee has accomplished plenty in her career so far. A member of the team that won the 2010 U-17 World Cup, she was a member of the roster that reached the second round of the 2015 World Cup for the first time in the country's history. She then was an established player by at the 2019 World Cup when the Taegeuk Nangja lost all three games against France, Nigeria and Sweden.
Those results showed that there is still a long way for Korea to go in the women's game. Having another player at one of the best clubs in one of the best leagues in the world can only be a good thing.
It also shows young players back home that it is possible to carve out a successful and lucrative career in women's football in Korea.
For Lee, however, the focus is on showing England what she can do.
