The Vancouver Whitecaps bolstered their back line Tuesday by announcing the signing of veteran South Korea defender Lee Young-Pyo.
Lee will be formally introduced to the Vancouver media on Wednesday morning.
The signing of the former South Korean international had been in the works for quite some time. Reports of the deal surfaced in the Asian press last week, Lee himself tweeted that he had signed with the Major League Soccer club.
"Lee is a quality individual and leader – both on and off the pitch – that has excelled at all levels of the game and we are thrilled he will be joining our club,” Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said in a news release.
“He has played midfield, as well as fullback during his distinguished career and the addition of Lee as a right back to our side will help strengthen our defensive backline.”
After beginning his club career in South Korea, Lee bounced around between PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. He most recently played for Saudi club Al-Hilal.
“I am very thankful for my experiences as a professional soccer player in Asia and Europe and now I look forward to this new opportunity in Vancouver,” Lee said in a news release.
"Soccer in North America is growing and Major League Soccer has become a highly-respected league in the world game. I am excited to begin this new chapter of my career with Whitecaps FC and to make Vancouver my new home.”
Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol called Lee “the best left-back in Holland” upon signing him seven years ago.
Lee, 34, was also a standout for his country, appearing in 127 games for the South Korean national team. He played in three World Cup tournaments, including in 2002 when he helped South Korea reach the semifinals on home soil.
Although Lee earned his reputation as a left fullback, Alain Rochat’s presence on the Whitecaps roster could suggest that the South Korean, who is right-footed, could play on the right side of defence.
Regardless, he’ll be expected to strengthen a Whitecaps back line that conceded 55 goals last season – the third-worst defensive record in the league.