Club Brugge has officially announced the signing of South Korean central defender Han-beom Lee from FC Midtjylland for a transfer fee of nine million euros, making him the club's most expensive defensive player ever. The deal includes an option to extend his contract until mid-2029 and comes with a bonus pool worth approximately one-and-a-half million euros. Although FC Midtjylland initially rejected an offer of five to six million euros, they eventually agreed to the deal to capitalize on Lee's departure. According to various media reports, FC Midtjylland also retains 15% of any future transfer fees.
Lee, who signed for 1.5 million euros from FC Seoul in the summer of 2023, has grown into a solid presence at FC Midtjylland: in 66 appearances he scored three goals, provided eight assists and only received six yellow cards. His performance also shone on an international stage during the 2026 World Cup, where he did not miss a single minute of South Korea's group matches.
Lee's signing fits into Club Brugge's larger plan as Joel Ordonez is likely to leave the club, and Lee appears to be an excellent fit for the central defender position. The 28-year-old will sign a contract until mid-2029 with the option of extension and will wear the number 3 jersey.
Looking Ahead
Although Lee's contract at FC Midtjylland is expiring, he has indicated that he does not want to renew it. As such, Club Brugge's sporting director Kristian Bach Bak initiated negotiations on the market to capitalize on Lee's departure. Lee's performance and experience make him an attractive prospect for several clubs beyond Club Brugge, including Olympique Lyon, Leeds United, RB Leipzig, AS Monaco, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool.
