S. Korea captain Ki Sung-yueng joins Newcastle United
Saturday - June 30, 2018 6:48 pm ,
Category : SPORTS
S. Korea captain Ki Sung-yueng joins Newcastle United
London June 30 (IANS) South Korea football team captain Ki Sung-yueng has signed with Newcastle United in the English Premier League ending a six-year stint with Swansea City.
Newcastle announced a two-year deal with the 29-year-old midfielder on Friday making him the club s second signing of the summer. It said Ki will join the club on Sunday once his contract with Swansea City expires subject to Ki s receiving an appropriate visa reports Yonhap news agency.
"I m so pleased I can join the club. I was always pleasantly surprised when I came to St. James Park to play against Newcastle -- there is a great atmosphere and the passion from the fans is a great support to the players " Ki told the club s website.
"Everyone knows how big this club is so I m really looking forward to playing with my teammates and for the fans."
Swansea City were relegated to the second-tier following their 18th-place finish in the English Premier League (EPL) last season. Newcastle finished in 10th place with 44 points.
Ki began his professional career with FC Seoul in the K League and moved to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League during the winter of the 2009-2010 season. He spent two and a half seasons there and signed with Swansea City in August 2012.
Ki also spent one season with Sunderland on loan helping them avoid relegation in the 2013-2014 season before returning to Swansea City.
A long-time captain for South Korea Ki has won 104 caps for the country -- the 10th most of any South Korean player -- and has competed at three FIFA World Cups.
In Russia Ki missed the team s 2-0 upset victory over Germany in the final group match with a leg injury.
The South Korean team returned home Friday though Ki travelled to England for what the national team officials said were "personal reasons " fueling speculation that a deal with a new club was imminent.
Newcastle head coach Rafa Benitez told the team s website that it was "an easy decision" to bring Kim on board.
"He is a player with lots of Premier League and international experience and it was an easy decision to bring him here " he said.
"He is the captain of his country a good character and he will be a good addition to the squad."
--IANS pur/vm
Newcastle announced a two-year deal with the 29-year-old midfielder on Friday making him the club s second signing of the summer. It said Ki will join the club on Sunday once his contract with Swansea City expires subject to Ki s receiving an appropriate visa reports Yonhap news agency.
"I m so pleased I can join the club. I was always pleasantly surprised when I came to St. James Park to play against Newcastle -- there is a great atmosphere and the passion from the fans is a great support to the players " Ki told the club s website.
"Everyone knows how big this club is so I m really looking forward to playing with my teammates and for the fans."
Swansea City were relegated to the second-tier following their 18th-place finish in the English Premier League (EPL) last season. Newcastle finished in 10th place with 44 points.
Ki began his professional career with FC Seoul in the K League and moved to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League during the winter of the 2009-2010 season. He spent two and a half seasons there and signed with Swansea City in August 2012.
Ki also spent one season with Sunderland on loan helping them avoid relegation in the 2013-2014 season before returning to Swansea City.
A long-time captain for South Korea Ki has won 104 caps for the country -- the 10th most of any South Korean player -- and has competed at three FIFA World Cups.
In Russia Ki missed the team s 2-0 upset victory over Germany in the final group match with a leg injury.
The South Korean team returned home Friday though Ki travelled to England for what the national team officials said were "personal reasons " fueling speculation that a deal with a new club was imminent.
Newcastle head coach Rafa Benitez told the team s website that it was "an easy decision" to bring Kim on board.
"He is a player with lots of Premier League and international experience and it was an easy decision to bring him here " he said.
"He is the captain of his country a good character and he will be a good addition to the squad."
--IANS pur/vm
