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 24)
Place of birth South Korea
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Pohang Steelers
Number 33
Youth career
–2015 Onehunga Sports
2016–2018 Incheon United
2018–2020 Korea University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Pohang Steelers 79 (17)
*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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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 16 October 2021.
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