Ji So-yeon (Chelsea Women), the ‘ace’ of Korean women’s soccer, is coming to the WK League following a long foreign league career.
On the 29th (Korean time), Chelsea Women announced on the club’s official website that Ji So-yeon, who has been active in the team since 2014, will return to Korea following 8 years in the English league. Ji So-yeon is looking for a WK League team and is expected to sign a contract next month.
After graduating from Hanyang Women’s University, Ji So-yeon has been active in overseas leagues. He initially planned to advance to the American league, but moved to Japan as the club’s offered salary was too low and the league virtually collapsed as several teams broke up due to financial problems.
Ji So-yeon, who played for Ainak Kobe Leonessa in Japan from 2011 to 2013, succeeded in advancing to Europe following receiving an offer from Chelsea Women in 2014. Emma Hayes, who still leads the team at the time of joining Chelsea Women, has played a pivotal role in the team she cherishes.
Ji So-yeon, who played the longest among Chelsea women, scored 68 goals in 208 matches. He was also a key player in leading the team to the top of the league in the 2015 and 2017 seasons (the shortened spring season due to the implementation of the Spring Festival), the 2017-18 season, the 2019-20 season, and the 2020-21 season.
In addition to winning the league 5 times, Soyeon Ji won the English Football Association (FA) Cup 2 times (2014-15, 2017-18), the FA Women’s League Cup 2 times (2019-20, 2020-21), and the FA Community Shield (2020) led This season, they are also aiming for the FA Cup and League titles.
“There is no doubt that Ji So-yeon is the most successful player in the league,” said Hayes. It has been a huge help in the development of Chelsea women.” “Ji So-yeon is leaving Chelsea women. i will miss you so much He is very grateful for everything he has done for everyone so far.”
Ji So-yeon, who is scheduled to have a farewell match in front of home fans during the last league match once morest Manchester United Women at Kings Meadows, Kingston upon Thames, England on the 8th of next month, said in a video posted on the club’s website, “Leaving Chelsea was a very difficult decision. A lot has changed in the eight years I spent at Chelsea. “Our teamwork has always been the best,” he said. I want to convey the saying, ‘Once blue, forever blue’.”
[서울=뉴시스]