South Korean left-back Lee Ki-je has extended his contract at the Newcastle Jets until the end of the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season.
The former Shimizu S-Pulse utility has scored twice in eight appearances since linking with the Jets in February this year.
Today Lee said that he’s happy to have prolonged his stay in the Hunter having adjusted well to life at the Jets, as well as in Newcastle itself.
“I am happy to stay at Newcastle,” Lee said with the assistance of an interpreter. “It’s a very good place, and I have enjoyed my time at the Club and with my teammates.”
“But the main reason I have extended my contract is because the Club showed that they really wanted me to stay, the coach wanted me to stay.”
“After some time back in Korea in the off-season, I will come back to Australia with my family alongside me,” he said.
Newcastle Jets Head Coach Phil Stubbins said: “We have already witnessed Lee Ki-je’s quality in the Hyundai A-League, but I believe that there is plenty of improvement left in him.”
“We must remember that when Ki-je arrived at the Club he had had no pre-season, and no previous interaction with Australia.”
“He’s adapted rapidly – culturally and from a footballing perspective – and that’s something he deserves to be commended on. The longer Lee Ki-je is with us, the better footballer I believe fans will see.”
