Lee Ho-jae (footballer)

Lee Ho-jae (Korean이호재; born 14 October 2000) is a South Korean professional footballer, who plays as a center-forward for Pohang Steelers.[1]

Lee Ho-jae
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-10-14) 14 October 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth South Korea
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Pohang Steelers
Number 20
Youth career
–2015 Onehunga Sports
2016–2018 Incheon United
2018–2020 Korea University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Pohang Steelers 76 (12)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 April 2023
Lee Ho-jae
Hangul
이호재
Revised RomanizationI Ho-jae
McCune–ReischauerI Ho-chae

Club career edit

After completing his youth development between New Zealand, with NRFL Premier club Onehunga Sports, and South Korea, where he played for Incheon United while his father Lee Ki-hyung was coaching the first team, Lee entered Korea University and eventually graduated in 2020.

At the start of 2021, Lee officially started his professional football career by joining K League 1 side Pohang Steelers. He subsequently made his professional debut on 28 February 2021, when he came in as a substitute for the injured Alex Grant in the 83rd minute of the 2-1 win against Incheon United.

On 28 June of the same year, he also made his debut in the AFC Champions League, as he replaced Go Young-Joon in the 88th minute of the group stage match against Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'Zim, which ended up in a 4–1 win for Pohang.

On 3 October 2021, after coming in as a substitute for Lee Seung-Mo in the 76th minute of a league match against Gwangju FC, he scored his first and second professional goals (respectively, in the 83rd and 90th minutes), which proved to be crucial as his team ultimately gained a 3–2 come-back victory.[2]

International career edit

Lee joined the South Korean under-23 national team for the first time in September 2021, when he was invited by manager Hwang Sun-hong to take part in a training camp in Paju.[2]

Personal life edit

He is the son of former professional footballer and manager Lee Ki-hyung, who represented South Korea at full international level. He moved to New Zealand in 2007 when his father signed for Auckland City.[2]

Career statistics edit

As of 20 February 2022
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2021 Pohang Steelers K League 1 15 2 0 0 5 0 20 2
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 15 2 0 0 5 0 20 2

References edit

  1. ^ "K League".
  2. ^ a b c Jung, Mu-yeol (4 October 2021). "Lee Ho-jae, son of former South Korean international and Incheon manager Lee Kihyung, made a great impression with a brace including his first pro goal after gaining his confidence in Korea U23 National Team training. He is def the one to watch for future". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-10-16.

External links edit