The 41-year-old, who has won two Asian club titles, will play his last domestic league game for Jeonbuk Motors against Daegu on Nov. 1, a match that could bring him an eighth Korean league crown.
“It’s been 23 years for me as a pro, however it felt like one lost year for me because I was not been able to fully enjoy this time as a player with many people due to COVID-19,” Lee said in a video posted on Youtube.
“Putting an end to this season full of regret and gratitude, I have decided to leave the field on which I poured out everything in my entire life.
“Although I will not be called a soccer player any more, I made the decision to retire since I believe it is not the end, but the start of something new.”