Jesse Lingard shares the heartbreaking reason he took a break from football and South Korea was the perfect new start

Jesse Lingard has opened up about the personal heartbreak that led him to take a break from football last year.

Lingard was released at the end of his Nottingham Forest contract after the completion of the 2022/23 season.

It was a difficult period at the club in which he played 20 games and scored only two goals.

It suggests he was sometimes not taking the field due to his high appearance bonuses, and that Forest were struggling to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

The 31-year-old ex manchester united The youth team star did not sign for another club until the following February.

This was a Shocking transfer to FC Seoul in South Korea.

Lingard has now written a column for The times opening up about the family tragedy behind his break from football.

He wrote: “Behind every footballer there is a story that the public does not know and I would like them to know mine. I could explain how I got here and help other players deal with private conflicts.”

Lingard continued: “The only cure was rest (for injuries), but, in the summer, when my contract ran out, my grandmother got sick. She was an incredible woman, Pamela Lingard, and she and my grandfather raised me while “For much of my childhood, my mother struggled with depression.”

He added: “But over the course of last summer, she became very unwell. She was in and out of hospital and although I was training hard and missed being in a club, I felt that being out of contract was God's plan: “No. I'm going to give you a team now, you need to stay home and be with your family.

“So that's what I did. I spent as much time as I could with them and in November, when Nan passed away, Grandpa took it very hard. He was depressed and suffering from dizziness and he himself was hospitalized. He needed care too. And there was to organize the funeral and give a speech.

2

“I believe that things happen for a reason and that, while my family was suffering, it was simply written for me to take a break from the game. However, after Christmas last year, it was time to begin my comeback.”

He then signed a two-year contract with FC Seoul and now they have reached the play-offs.

On his decision to move there, he said: “The idea of ​​Korea grabbed me. Not just a different challenge, but a new environment and culture. FC Seoul is one of the biggest clubs in the K League, with a fantastic stadium, So I said yes.”

Lingard has played 18 times for his new club and scored four goals.