Lee Dong-Gook Leaves Bremen

Lee Dong-Gook (22, photo), `Lion King`, is likely to leave the Bundesliga`s Bremen.

The Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on 21st that the Bremen will not renew a contract with Lee Dong-Gook for the next season.

The AFP explained the cause of the failure of the contract renew between Lee and the Bremen, quoting General Manager of the Bremen Klaus Allofs`s saying ``for sure, Lee will not be able to play in the Bremen for few weeks to concentrate on the 2002 World Cup``.

The Pohang Steelers who had lent Lee to Bremen declared that `` we have not yet received the specific results from the Bremen, anyway we cannot accept the Bremen`s existing demand to extend the lease period with the same conditions``.

Lee was lent to Bremen by Pohang on January, and did not record a goal in 7 games he played. Lee has received basic salary of $10,000 monthly for 6 months.

The lease contract contained that if Lee wishes to transfer to Bremen, he will play for two years with a waiver of $1.5 million and an annual salary of $500,000. But Bremen has requested to renew the lease contract for another six months rather than the transfer, because Lee has not yet fulfill the military service.

Lee who returned to Korea last month is currently working out with the players of Pohang Steelers.

Yoon Jong-Beom, the director of the executive office at Pohang Steelers, told that Lee has plan to transfer to the low-ranking teams in the Italy league or the Spain league, or the other team in the Bundesliga by the form of lease.

Joo Sung-Won swon@donga.com