Young-Pyo Lee Biography | Young-Pyo Lee News

Anyang Cheetahs FC (2000-2002)
Lee attended Konkuk University in Seoul and began his professional career with the Anyang Cheetahs of the Korean K-League. He featured prominently during South Korea's World Cup run and established himself on the world stage during that tournament. After a stellar 2002 World Cup, Lee followed Guus Hiddink and teammate Park Ji-Sung to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

PSV Eindhoven (2003-2005)
At PSV, Lee flourished under Hiddink's guidance and soon established himself in PSV's first team. Known for his endurance, technique, and ability in both defence and attack, Lee was widely regarded as the best left-back in the Dutch Eredivisie. Lee and his compatriot Park were instrumental in PSV Eindhoven's 2005 run to the Champions League semi-final, although to their disappointment, they were knocked out by AC Milan.

Despite PSV's persistent attempts to keep him, Lee moved to the English club Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005.

 Tottenham Hotspur (2005-present)
At Tottenham, Lee was an immediate hit and earned a spot on the Premier League's best eleven in his debut week. Tottenham coach Martin Jol, at the time of his signing on August 31, 2005, touted him as "the best left-back in Holland, and one of the best left-backs in Europe today."  His form did however fluctuate in the 05/06 season, many seeing him, along with Canadian right-back Paul Stalteri as one of the reasons Tottenham did not qualify for the Champions' League, despite them being almost ever present in a defence which conceded the fourth lowest number of goals in that season.

In the beginning of 2006-07 season, Lee moved to right full-back due to Benoît Assou-Ekotto's impressive pre-season performance and an injury to regular right-back Stalteri. Lee then faced increased competition when Tottenham signed French defender Pascal Chimbonda on the final day of the transfer period. Lee also suffered a knee injury and then Tottenham offered his rights to AS Roma of Italy's Serie A, a move which never materialised.

Lee regained his place in the first team when Assou-Ekotto's form began to falter, most notably in a very poor performance against arch-rivals Arsenal. Lee came on as a half-time substitute in that match and was a notable improvement, and was again preferred by Jol for the starting eleven, until a season-ending knee injury sustained in a UEFA Cup Quarterfinal match against Sevilla on April 5.

The arrival of Gareth Bale in the summer provided further competition for the left back position. On August 9, 2007, Tottenham manager Martin Jol announced that Lee would be "fit for selection" in "one or two weeks", On August 18, 2007, Lee made his first start of the season against Derby County.

Anyang Cheetahs FC (2000-2002)
Lee attended Konkuk University in Seoul and began his professional career with the Anyang Cheetahs of the Korean K-League. He featured prominently during South Korea's World Cup run and established himself on the world stage during that tournament. After a stellar 2002 World Cup, Lee followed Guus Hiddink and teammate Park Ji-Sung to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

PSV Eindhoven (2003-2005)
At PSV, Lee flourished under Hiddink's guidance and soon established himself in PSV's first team. Known for his endurance, technique, and ability in both defence and attack, Lee was widely regarded as the best left-back in the Dutch Eredivisie. Lee and his compatriot Park were instrumental in PSV Eindhoven's 2005 run to the Champions League semi-final, although to their disappointment, they were knocked out by AC Milan.

Despite PSV's persistent attempts to keep him, Lee moved to the English club Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005.

 Tottenham Hotspur (2005-present)
At Tottenham, Lee was an immediate hit and earned a spot on the Premier League's best eleven in his debut week. Tottenham coach Martin Jol, at the time of his signing on August 31, 2005, touted him as "the best left-back in Holland, and one of the best left-backs in Europe today."  His form did however fluctuate in the 05/06 season, many seeing him, along with Canadian right-back Paul Stalteri as one of the reasons Tottenham did not qualify for the Champions' League, despite them being almost ever present in a defence which conceded the fourth lowest number of goals in that season.

In the beginning of 2006-07 season, Lee moved to right full-back due to Benoît Assou-Ekotto's impressive pre-season performance and an injury to regular right-back Stalteri. Lee then faced increased competition when Tottenham signed French defender Pascal Chimbonda on the final day of the transfer period. Lee also suffered a knee injury and then Tottenham offered his rights to AS Roma of Italy's Serie A, a move which never materialised.

Lee regained his place in the first team when Assou-Ekotto's form began to falter, most notably in a very poor performance against arch-rivals Arsenal. Lee came on as a half-time substitute in that match and was a notable improvement, and was again preferred by Jol for the starting eleven, until a season-ending knee injury sustained in a UEFA Cup Quarterfinal match against Sevilla on April 5.

The arrival of Gareth Bale in the summer provided further competition for the left back position. On August 9, 2007, Tottenham manager Martin Jol announced that Lee would be "fit for selection" in "one or two weeks", On August 18, 2007, Lee made his first start of the season against Derby County.