Lee Young-pyo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lee Young-pyo

Lee with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2011.
Personal information
Full name	Lee Young-pyo
Date of birth	(1977-04-23) 23 April 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth	Hongcheon, Gangwon, South Korea
Height	1.77m
Playing position	Left-back
Youth career
1990–1992	Anyang Middle School
1993–1995	Anyang Technical High School [ko]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2002	Anyang LG Cheetahs	60	(3)
2003–2005	PSV Eindhoven	81	(1)
2005–2008	Tottenham Hotspur	70	(0)
2008–2009	Borussia Dortmund	18	(0)
2009–2011	Al-Hilal	46	(0)
2012–2013	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	65	(1)
Total		340	(5)
National team
1999–2002	South Korea U23	23	(1)
1999–2011	South Korea	127	(5)
Honours Representing South Korea Men's football AFC Asian Cup Bronze 2000 Lebanon Team Bronze 2011 Qatar Team Asian Games Bronze 2002 Busan Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Lee Young-pyo (Korean: 이영표; Korean pronunciation: [i.jʌŋ.pʰjo]; born 23 April 1977) is a retired South Korean professional footballer who played as a right-footed left back. Lee was recognized for his speed and dribbling skills. His former manager Martin Jol once called him "the best left back in Holland".

Prior to playing for PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur, Lee started his professional career at FC Seoul, then known as Anyang LG Cheetahs in the Korean K League and then spent two years with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands, earning high acclaim from PSV Coach Guus Hiddink, who had previously coached Lee and South Korea during the 2002 World Cup. Recognized as the best left-back in the Netherlands after the 2004–05 season, Tottenham signed him amidst heavy competition with several Serie A clubs. He transferred to Tottenham in August 2005.

On 19 November 2008, Lee became the seventh Korean player to earn 100 caps in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. During the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Lee captained the national team twice after the substitutions of the regular Korean captain, Park Ji-sung.

On January 1, 2021, he began his 2-year stint as the CEO of the first tier K League football team Gangwon FC.

Playing career

Anyang LG Cheetahs

Lee graduated from Konkuk University in Seoul, and began his professional career in a K League club Anyang LG Cheetahs, currently FC Seoul. He contributed to Anyang's K League title in 2000. His team also advanced to the Asian Club Championship final in the 2001–02 season, but failed to bring the title against Suwon Samsung Bluewings, another South Korean club. An impressive player in the league, Lee could play for the South Korean national team in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He assisted South Korea's winning goals against Portugal and Italy with crosses. He followed Guus Hiddink and teammate Park Ji-sung into PSV Eindhoven after finishing the World Cup in fourth place.

PSV Eindhoven

At PSV, Lee flourished under Hiddink's guidance and soon established himself in PSV's first team. Known for his endurance, technique, and ability in both defence and attack, Lee was widely regarded as the best left-back in the Dutch Eredivisie. Lee and his compatriot Park were instrumental in PSV Eindhoven's run to the 2005 UEFA Champions League semi-final, although, to their disappointment, they were knocked out by Milan. Despite PSV's persistent attempts to keep him, Lee moved to the English club Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005. During his PSV career, Lee scored 1 goal and assisted 13 goals.

Tottenham Hotspur

Lee pictured alongside a young fan in 2005

At Tottenham, Lee was an immediate hit and earned a spot on the Premier League's best eleven in his debut week. Tottenham coach Martin Jol, at the time of his signing on 31 August 2005, touted him as "the best left-back in Holland." His form did however fluctuate in the 2005–06 season, despite being almost ever present in a defence which conceded the fourth lowest number of goals in that season.

In the beginning of 2006–07 season, Lee moved to right full-back due to Benoît Assou-Ekotto's impressive pre-season performance and an injury to regular right-back Paul Stalteri. Lee then faced increased competition when Tottenham signed French defender Pascal Chimbonda on the final day of the transfer period. Lee also suffered a knee injury and in August 2006, Tottenham offered his rights to Roma of Italy's Serie A, but he backed out at the last minute for "personal reasons". An Italian media report said religion played a part in his decision to reject the transfer offer. On 31 August 2006, Lee held a press conference in Korea and denied that religion was a factor in his decision. He said that moving to Roma would have been great for him in terms of football alone but he decided against it for personal reasons that he would not reveal, despite being pressed for answers by 50 attending reporters.

Lee regained his place in the first team when Assou-Ekotto's form began to falter, most notably in a very poor performance against arch-rivals Arsenal. Lee came on as a half-time substitute in that match and was a notable improvement, and was again preferred by Jol for the starting eleven, until a season-ending knee injury sustained in a UEFA Cup Quarterfinal match against Sevilla on 5 April.

On 9 August 2007, Tottenham manager Martin Jol announced that Lee would be "fit for selection" in "one or two weeks". On 18 August 2007, Lee made his first start of the season against Derby County. He continued to play regularly for Tottenham in the 2007–08 season, along with League Cup appearances against Blackpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. He missed the final but earned a medal for his contributions.

Borussia Dortmund

On 27 August 2008, Lee transferred to a Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. He consistently made appearances early in the season, and Borussia Dortmund announced that the period of Lee's contract was extended to two years in December. However, he was benched after the vice-captain Dedé recovered from his injury.

Al-Hilal

On 10 July 2009, Lee left for a Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Known to be a devout Christian, he decided to go to Saudi Arabia after hearing the word of God, although he didn't want to go there. He couldn't understand the will of God, but enjoyed his new life with Muslims. He told this interesting anecdote in his lecture after retirement.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Lee officially signed with Vancouver on 6 December 2011. He scored his first MLS goal for Vancouver on 28 April 2012 off a free kick against the Columbus Crew. Lee was a crucial part to Vancouver's 2012 season and was played as a right back. He was considered one of their best players on the team that year. Lee was awarded with Vancouver's 2012 Player of the Year on 21 October 2012 after helping the team become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs.

He played his final professional game on 27 October 2013 in Vancouver in 3–0 win against the Colorado Rapids. After scoring the first and eventual game-winning goal, 2013 MLS Golden Boot-winner Camilo Sanvezzo presented Lee with the ball during the goal celebration.

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Korea Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lee goal.

List of international goals scored by Lee Young-pyo

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 July 2000	Workers' Stadium, Beijing, China	14	China	1–0	1–0	Friendly
2	4 October 2000	Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates	15	United Arab Emirates	1–1	1–1 (aet) (2–3 p)	2000 LG Cup
3	13 October 2000	International Olympic Stadium, Tripoli, Lebanon	17	China	1–0	2–2	2000 AFC Asian Cup
4	9 February 2005	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	74	Kuwait	2–0	2–0	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	30 March 2005	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	76	Uzbekistan	1–0	2–1	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Filmography

Television

Honours

Player

Anyang LG Cheetahs

• K League 1: 2000
• Korean Super Cup: 2001
• Asian Club Championship runner-up: 2001–02

PSV Eindhoven

• Eredivisie: 2002–03, 2004–05
• KNVB Cup: 2004–05
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2003

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Cup: 2007–08

Al-Hilal

• Saudi Pro League: 2009–10, 2010–11
• Saudi Crown Prince Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11

South Korea U23

• Asian Games bronze medal: 2002

South Korea

• AFC Asian Cup third place: 2000, 2011

Individual

• K League 1 Best XI: 2001
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC Player of the Year: 2012
• AFC Fans' All-time XI at the FIFA World Cup: 2020

Television personality

See also

In Spanish: Lee Young-pyo para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps