Lee Dong-guk Joins Middlesbrough

“Henri is my role model.”

Korea’s fourth Premier League star Lee Dong-guk, 28, held a press conference on the Rockcliffe Park training ground, at Hurworth, near Darlington, to officially announce his signing with the Middlesbrough Football Club.

Lee said, “Tieri Henri of Arsenal is the best striker. I’ll try to learn from him and play like him. My motto is ‘Chances are given to the prepared.’ I’ll work hard to gain recognition rather than aim to immediately begin playing.” Middlesbrough is scheduled to play Arsenal on Feb. 4, Chelsea on Feb. 10, and Bristol City (FA Cup) on Feb. 14. A date has not been set for Lee’s debut.

yjongk@donga.com