By Charles Audouin
Video = Official YouTube account of PSG

Midfielder Lee Kang-in, dubbed the future of Korean soccer, is the first Korean to play for the French pro team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

PSG on July 9 said on its website, "Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the arrival of Kang-In Lee on a contract until 2028." 

Lee is the 13th Korean to play in the European country's top-tier Ligue 1.

PSG is France's top soccer team featuring world-class players like Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappe, Marcos Aoas Correa and Fabian Ruiz, coming in sixth in the global club rankings of the Union of European Football Associations.

 
Through last season, the "MNM trio" of Leo Messi, Neymar and Mbappe mainly led the club's attack. Thus soccer fans await Lee and his role on offense to make up for the departure of Messi, with the Argentine star leaving for Inter Miami of the U.S.

In 2007, Lee at age 6 appeared on the KBS sports reality soccer show "Fly Shoot Dori." He gained fame for displaying techniques far advanced for those in his age group.

In December 2017 at age 17, Lee joined the Spanish club Valencia to begin his pro career. In 2019, he played a key role in Korea's runner-up finish at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and was named the tournament's top player.

Lee joined Mallorca of Spain in August 2021 and played two seasons before joining PSG. In Paris, he will wear number 19 like he did on his former team. His transfer fee was not disclosed but reports say around EUR 22 million (KRW 31.1 billion).

To mark news of Lee's arrival, PSG opened a Twitter account in Korean and released a video interview with him on its official YouTube channel.

"It's incredible to be able to join Paris Saint-Germain, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the greatest players in the world," he said on the PSG site. "I can't wait to start this new adventure."

Lee Kang-in signs his name on his PSG uniform after joining the club. (PSG's official website)