Footballer Lee Young-pyo leaves Saudi Arabia, seeks new club

Defensive back Lee Young-pyo has decided not to re-sign with his Saudi Arabian club and will seek new options, his Seoul-based agency said Monday. Jissen said the 34-year-old player will leave Al Hilal in the Saudi Premier League and will field other offers.   "The current deal expires at the end of this month," the agency said. "Lee will come home and take some time off as he plans for the future." Lee joined Al Hilal two years ago and helped the team win back-to-back Saudi Premier League titles. Last season, the team went undefeated in all 26 games, with 19 wins and seven draws. It scored a league-high 52 goals and gave up the fewest with 18. Jissen said Lee was offered an extension but declined, and added his return to South Korea's K-League "is not an option." "Teams in Europe and the Middle East have shown interest," the agency said. "We're trying to find a team where he can be a starter, not a backup." Lee, a veteran of three World Cups, has played for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and Borussia Dortmund in Germany's Bundesliga. He is known for providing an offensive touch from the left wing-back position.