Ki Sung-yueng Hints at Transfer: "I Will Proudly Think of Newcastle Wherever I Go"

Ki Sung-yueng, Absent Despite Matchday Cover for Rochdale Game
Substituted in After 3 Months

Ki Sung-yueng is greeting the cheering squad after the friendly match against Saudi Arabia on January 1, 2019. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Ki Sung-yueng (31) hinted at a transfer in an interview while missing the Rochdale match for Newcastle United.

Newcastle secured a 4-1 victory over Rochdale in the 2019-20 English Football Association (FA) Cup 3rd round (Round of 64) replay at St James' Park in Newcastle, UK, at 4:45 AM KST on the 15th.

With this win, Newcastle will face Oxford United in the FA Cup 4th round.

Before the match, Ki Sung-yueng was selected as the cover model for the matchday program. Since players expected to play usually feature on the cover, fans' expectations for Ki's starting appearance increased.

However, Ki Sung-yueng was excluded from the match squad that day.

Ki has only appeared in 4 matches for Newcastle this season.

Having not stepped onto the pitch since the Premier League regular season last September, he was substituted in at the 8th minute of the second half during the 3rd round match against Rochdale on the 4th, marking his return after three months.

Koo Seong-yong featured on the matchday program cover for the rematch against Rochdale / Photo by Newcastle official website capture

Ki Sung-yueng's interview hinting at a transfer during the matchday program has become a hot topic.

Ki said, "When you are not playing, transfer rumors naturally follow. I do not blame anyone. It is because I have not shown good performances."

He continued, "I was truly happy every time I played in front of the fans. Even if I go somewhere else, I will proudly think of Newcastle. Newcastle is a big club to me, and I sincerely enjoyed playing in front of passionate fans," hinting at a possible transfer.

Finally, he conveyed his sincerity to the fans, saying, "We have to wait and see what happens. But I am truly proud of all the fans and the club."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.