Lee Jae-sung

Lee Jae-sung
Lee playing for South Korea at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup
Personal information
Full name Lee Jae-sung[1]
Date of birth (1992-08-10) 10 August 1992[2]
Place of birth Ulsan, South Korea
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Mainz 05
Number 7
Youth career
2005–2007 Hakseong Middle School
2008–2010 Hakseong High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Korea University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2018 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 137 (26)
2018–2021 Holstein Kiel 93 (19)
2021– Mainz 05 151 (28)
International career‡
2012–2014 South Korea U23 14 (1)
2015– South Korea 107 (15)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place2014 Incheon
EAFF Championship
Winner2015 China
Winner2017 Japan
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 June 2026 (UTC)
Lee Jae-sung
Hangul
이재성
Hanja
李在城
RRI Jaeseong
MRI Chaesŏng
IPA[i.d͡ʑɛ.sʌŋ]

Lee Jae-sung (Korean: 이재성; 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

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

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.[4] Choi Kang-hee, the manager of Jeonbuk at the time, praised his ability which kept balance about attack and defense of team, and actively used him, the newcomer.[5]

In 2016, he spent his best season by providing 17 assists during a year and winning the 2016 AFC Champions League.[6]

In the 2017 K League 1, he won the Most Valuable Player award after having eight goals and ten assists during 28 appearances.[6][7]

Holstein Kiel

In July 2018, Lee joined 2. Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel on a three-year deal until 30 June 2021.[8] The transfer fee paid to Jeonbuk was reported as €1.5 million.[9] He played his first game against Hamburger SV on 4 August, and was named the player of the matchday by leaving a deep impression on kicker with two assists.[10]

After the end of the 2019–20 season, his goal against Karlsruher SC was selected as Kiel's Goal of the Season.[11]

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.[12] Afterwards, Kiel reached the semi-finals of DFB-Pokal for the first time in history, but they were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund.[13]

Kiel 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 Köln.[14][15]

Mainz 05

In July 2021, Lee joined Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a three-year deal until 30 June 2024.[16]

Lee was named the player of the 22nd matchday by kicker after dominating Borussia Mönchengladbach including a goal and an assist on 24 February 2023.[17] In that month, he was nominated for the Bundesliga Player of the Month by leading Mainz to three Bundesliga victories as well as having three goals and two assists,[18] but lost to Julian Brandt. He was also nominated for the Bundesliga Team of the Season because of his steady performance during the 2022–23 season, but failed to be selected.[19]

Lee seemed lethargic while Mainz earned only one win in the first half of the 2023–24 season, but he played a key role in saving his team from relegation during the second half of the season.[20]

Lee scored two goals in a 2–1 win over Bayern Munich on 14 December 2024, leading Bayern to their first defeat in the 2024–25 Bundesliga.[21] During the 2024–25 season, he had seven goals and six assists (ten assists according to the standard of kicker) in 33 league appearances,[22][23] helping Mainz qualify for the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League.[24]

After coming on as a 60th minute substitute in a league phase match of the 2025–26 Conference League on 6 November 2025, Lee had one assist and the winning goal, converting Fiorentina's 1–0 lead into Mainz's 2–1 win. The goal was his first goal at UEFA competitions excluding qualifiers.[25]

International career

In the 2017 EAFF Championship, Lee led South Korea's title, and was named the Most Valuable Player and the Best Duel Player.[26]

Lee was named in South Korea's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,[27] and played all three games in the group stage. He also participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping South Korea advance to the knockout stage.

On 10 October 2025, he made his 100th international appearance in a friendly match against Brazil.[28]

He received a call-up by Hong Myung-bo to join the 2026 FIFA World squad for South Korea.[29]

Style of play

Lee possessed the ball for a short time, and showed great influence when moving without the ball. He preferred passing in a fast tempo to carrying, and had a high work rate to preoccupy suitable spots. His movement was also skilled in interceptions when defending.[30][31]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 August 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2014[6] K League 1 264307[b]1—365
2015[6] K League 1 347109[b]2—449
2016[6] K League 1 3231013[b]12[c]0484
2017[6] K League 1 28800——288
2018[6] K League 1 174008[b]1—255
Total 13726503752018131
Holstein Kiel 2018–19[32] 2. Bundesliga 29520——315
2019–20[33] 2. Bundesliga 31921——3310
2020–21[34] 2. Bundesliga 33552—2[d]1408
Total 931993—2110423
Mainz 05 2021–22[35] Bundesliga 27430——304
2022–23[36] Bundesliga 34720——367
2023–24[37] Bundesliga 29620——316
2024–25[23] Bundesliga 33710——347
2025–26[38] Bundesliga 284209[e]2—396
2026–27[39] Bundesliga 0000——00
Total 1512810092—17030
Career total 381732434674145584

International

As of match played 18 June 2026[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Korea 2015134
201660
201781
2018142
201981
202020
202181
202280
2023100
2024174
202582
202650
Total10715
Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lee goal.[40]
List of international goals scored by Lee Jae-sung
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
131 March 2015Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea New Zealand1–01–0Friendly
216 June 2015Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Myanmar1–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
33 September 2015Hwaseong Stadium, Hwaseong, South Korea Laos8–08–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
412 November 2015Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea Myanmar1–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
59 December 2017Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan China2–12–22017 EAFF Championship
61 June 2018Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea Bosnia and Herzegovina1–11–3Friendly
77 September 2018Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea Costa Rica1–02–0Friendly
826 March 2019Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea Colombia2–12–1Friendly
916 November 2021Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar Iraq1–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
106 January 2024New York University Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Iraq1–01–0Friendly
1126 March 2024Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Thailand1–03–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1210 October 2024Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan Jordan1–02–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1315 October 2024Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin, South Korea Iraq3–13–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1425 March 2025Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea Jordan1–01–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1510 June 2025Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea Kuwait4–04–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Korea Republic (KOR)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 17. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016: List of Players: Jeonbuk Hyundai" (PDF). FIFA. 14 December 2016. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Match Report - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Yokohama F. Marinos". AFC. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014.
  5. ↑ 최강희 감독은 1년 전 이틀 만에 이재성을 알았다 (in Korean). News1. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "K League Portal" 이재성李在成 (in Korean). K League. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 [2017 K리그 어워즈] 표심 분석…과반수 ‘MVP’ 이재성, 90% 지지 ‘영플’ 김민재 (in Korean). SPOTVNEWS. 20 November 2017.
  8. ↑ Geidel, Andreas (27 July 2018). "Transfer-Hammer: Jea-Song Lee und Jonas Meffert zu Holstein Kiel" (in German). Sportbuzzer. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Holstein Kiel verpflichtet Jae-Song Lee" (in German). Frankfurter Rundschau. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "2. Bundesliga Elf des Tages - 2018/19 - 1. Spieltag" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Lee hat das KSV-"Tor der Saison" 2019/20 geschossen!". Twitter.com (in German). Holstein Kiel. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "DFB-Pokal - Schema - Holstein Kiel 6:5 Bayern München" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  13. ↑ "Kiel geht unter: Dortmund steht nach historischer Halbzeit im Pokalfinale" (in German). kicker. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Joker Lorenz schockt Köln und hat Aufstieg im Visier" (in German). kicker. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "Andersson macht's früh klar: Köln hält die Klasse" (in German). kicker. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  16. ↑ "05er Verpflichten Jae-sung Lee". Mainz 05 (in German). 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Bundesliga - Elf des Tages - 2022/23 - 22. Spieltag" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  18. ↑ "Raphael Guerreiro, Julian Brandt, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jae-sung Lee, Borna Sosa and Alphonso Davies nominated for February Player of the Month". Bundesliga. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Bundesliga divulga indicados à Seleção da Temporada 22/23; vote agora" (in Portuguese). OneFootball. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "Rangliste Sommer 2024, Mittelfeld offensiv" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  21. ↑ "Jae-sung Lee double inflicts first league defeat on Bayern Munich". Bundesliga. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  22. ↑ "Jae-sung Lee Stats season 2024-2025". Bundesliga. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  24. ↑ "FSV secure European qualification". 1. FSV Mainz 05. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  25. ↑ "Mainz vs Fiorentina | UEFA Conference League 2025/26". UEFA. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  26. 1 2 "EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Final Japan". EAFF. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  28. ↑ "Lee Jae-sung reaches 100 A-match milestone for South Korea". Chosun Biz. 10 October 2025.
  29. ↑ "World Cup 2026 squad lists: England, Scotland, Brazil, USA, Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Portugal and more". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2 August 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Lee Jae-sung - Stats & Scout Report | Mainz 05". ScoutingStats.AI. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  31. ↑ "Jae-sung Lee". FotMob. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  32. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - Holstein Kiel - 2. Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  35. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  36. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  37. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  38. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  39. ↑ "Jae-Sung Lee - 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga: alle Spielerstatistiken, News und alle persönlichen Informationen - kicker" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Lee, Jae-Sung". KFA. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  41. 1 2 이동국, K리그 최초 2년 연속 MVP…K리그 어워즈 3관왕 (in Korean). Mydaily. 1 December 2015.
  42. ↑ [K리그 어워즈] 이재성·권창훈 등 포함, MF 부문 베스트11 선정 (in Korean). InterFootball. 8 November 2016.
  43. ↑ "TSG Report: AFC Champions League 2016 - Part 3". AFC. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  44. ↑ "The Best ACL2016 XI announced!". Asian Football Confederation. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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