Real Sociedad signs South Korea's Lee

San Sebastian:

Real Sociedad said on Monday it has signed the South Korean international forward Lee Chun-soo from Ulsan Hyundai. Lee, who was a member of the South Korean team that reached the World Cup semifinals last year, will be the first player from the country to play in the Spanish league. The Basque club said on its Web site (www.realsociedad.com) that Lee would arrive in Spain for a routine medical checkup next week. Sociedad gave no further details although Ulsan Hyundai said last Friday the two clubs had agreed to transfer Lee for three years, with Sociedad holding the option to extend the forward's contract by one year. Lee, who turns 22 on Wednesday, recently won the Asian Soccer Federation's award for the best young player. Sociedad crowned a surprise season by finishing in second place in the Spanish league last month, earning the Basque club a debut place in next season's European Champions League. (AP)