Korean football player Ji Dong-won, who signed with English Premier League club Sunderland AFC in late June, said he is confident he will succeed in the EPL and is not thinking about returning to the K-League.
In his farewell press conference at Gwangyang Football Stadium in South Jeolla on Sunday, Ji said he wonât repeat the same failure he experienced in 2007, when he left to play for Reading FCâs youth team in England. Ji only played four games during his 10-month stay there.
âWhen I was at Reading, I was too hasty,â Ji said. âBut this time itâs going to be different and I will take the time to prepare.â
The 20-year-old striker officially became the youngest Korean and only the eighth to join an EPL team, when he passed a medical and signed a three-year deal with Sunderland on June 30. He will join Park Ji-sung of Manchester United and Lee Chung-yong of Bolton Wanderers in Englandâs top football division this upcoming season.
Ji, a former member of the Chunnam Dragons, signed autographs and said farewell to fans at his teamâs match against Suwon Bluewings FC on Sunday. Ji, who debuted with the Dragons last year, scored 11 goals and added five assists in his 39 league matches.
Ilgan Sports, the JoongAng Ilboâs daily sports newspaper, was at Jiâs farewell press conference on Sunday. Ji will leave Korea today for Sunderlandâs preseason camp.
Q. Do you have any words for Chunnam fans who are sad about your departure?
A. I should have helped while my team is on a roll, but Iâm sorry I canât. Iâm leaving because I have a dream and personal goal. I ask them to support me so I can do well (in England).
Did you get some rest after you came back from England?
I went to Jeju Island and said âgoodbyeâ to people. I also ate lot of food, so I think I had enough rest. It will be difficult from the outset at Sunderland, so I will gradually improve my condition.
What EPL player do you want to face right now?
Iâm looking forward to meeting Manchester United players. I want to face (Rio) Ferdinand and (Nemanja) Vidic. I want to see how good these guys play. As for attackers, I want to meet (Wayne) Rooney.
Do you feel pressure when you see the success Lee Chung-yong is having in England?
There is pressure because Lee really plays good. But I donât think I have to be like Lee. Even if I donât do well in my first try, I will not disappoint and train harder.
What aspect do you want to emphasize to EPL fans?
Iâm confident with my first touch of the ball. If I can emphasize that aspect, I think I can succeed there. I know I donât have great power, so I will continue to work on weight training.
How confident are you with your English?
I have learned English since I was a young boy, but I didnât study hard. (Laughs). My English is still not that good, but I will work hard on my English. I will personally find a teacher and get lessons.
When do you expect to make your debut?
I noticed that (Sunderlandâs) first game is against Liverpool on the road. I want to play in that game, but I donât think it will be easy.
Are there any K-Leaguers who you think can follow you to the EPL?
Iâll choose Yoon Bitgaram (Gyeongnam FC). He is cold-hearted, so I think he can play well in Europe. (Laughs).
If you return to Korea in the future, will you come back to Chunnam?
Of course itâs Chunnam. But right now, I donât have thoughts about going back to the K-League. Iâm confident (I can succeed in the EPL).
In his farewell press conference at Gwangyang Football Stadium in South Jeolla on Sunday, Ji said he wonât repeat the same failure he experienced in 2007, when he left to play for Reading FCâs youth team in England. Ji only played four games during his 10-month stay there.
âWhen I was at Reading, I was too hasty,â Ji said. âBut this time itâs going to be different and I will take the time to prepare.â
The 20-year-old striker officially became the youngest Korean and only the eighth to join an EPL team, when he passed a medical and signed a three-year deal with Sunderland on June 30. He will join Park Ji-sung of Manchester United and Lee Chung-yong of Bolton Wanderers in Englandâs top football division this upcoming season.
Ji, a former member of the Chunnam Dragons, signed autographs and said farewell to fans at his teamâs match against Suwon Bluewings FC on Sunday. Ji, who debuted with the Dragons last year, scored 11 goals and added five assists in his 39 league matches.
Ilgan Sports, the JoongAng Ilboâs daily sports newspaper, was at Jiâs farewell press conference on Sunday. Ji will leave Korea today for Sunderlandâs preseason camp.
Q. Do you have any words for Chunnam fans who are sad about your departure?
A. I should have helped while my team is on a roll, but Iâm sorry I canât. Iâm leaving because I have a dream and personal goal. I ask them to support me so I can do well (in England).
Did you get some rest after you came back from England?
I went to Jeju Island and said âgoodbyeâ to people. I also ate lot of food, so I think I had enough rest. It will be difficult from the outset at Sunderland, so I will gradually improve my condition.
What EPL player do you want to face right now?
Iâm looking forward to meeting Manchester United players. I want to face (Rio) Ferdinand and (Nemanja) Vidic. I want to see how good these guys play. As for attackers, I want to meet (Wayne) Rooney.
Do you feel pressure when you see the success Lee Chung-yong is having in England?
There is pressure because Lee really plays good. But I donât think I have to be like Lee. Even if I donât do well in my first try, I will not disappoint and train harder.
What aspect do you want to emphasize to EPL fans?
Iâm confident with my first touch of the ball. If I can emphasize that aspect, I think I can succeed there. I know I donât have great power, so I will continue to work on weight training.
How confident are you with your English?
I have learned English since I was a young boy, but I didnât study hard. (Laughs). My English is still not that good, but I will work hard on my English. I will personally find a teacher and get lessons.
When do you expect to make your debut?
I noticed that (Sunderlandâs) first game is against Liverpool on the road. I want to play in that game, but I donât think it will be easy.
Are there any K-Leaguers who you think can follow you to the EPL?
Iâll choose Yoon Bitgaram (Gyeongnam FC). He is cold-hearted, so I think he can play well in Europe. (Laughs).
If you return to Korea in the future, will you come back to Chunnam?
Of course itâs Chunnam. But right now, I donât have thoughts about going back to the K-League. Iâm confident (I can succeed in the EPL).
