Lee Dong-gyeong is one of the most talented attacking midfielders in South Korean football today.
This article breaks down his net worth, current salary, career earnings, and everything you need to know about the 2025 K League 1 MVP.
Lee Dong-gyeong’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Dong-gyeong (이동경) |
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1997 |
| Age | 28 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Place of Birth | Daegu, South Korea |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | Ulsan HD FC (K League 1) |
| Shirt Number | 10 |
| Turned Professional | January 2018 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Annual Salary | ~$350,000–$450,000 (estimated) |
| International Caps / Goals | 16 caps / 3 goals |
| Market Value | €1.60 million (Transfermarkt, Dec 2025) |
Early Life and Career
Lee Dong-gyeong was born on September 20, 1997, in Daegu, South Korea. He grew up in a football-focused environment and showed early promise as a technically gifted midfielder.
His youth journey started at Daegu Hwawon Elementary School from 2006 to 2009, before he joined the Ulsan Hyundai academy at the U15 level in 2010.
He progressed through the U15 and U18 squads, spending his formative years between 2010 and 2015 at the club.
After completing his academy training, Lee enrolled at Hongik University in 2016, where he continued developing his game and honed the technical versatility that would later define his professional career.
He left university in 2017 without completing his degree — a move that surprised some, but one that ultimately fast-tracked his path to professional football.
In January 2018, he signed his first professional contract with Ulsan Hyundai FC (now Ulsan HD FC), committing to the club that had nurtured him since age 12.
His technical ability, spatial awareness, and composed left foot made him an exciting prospect in Korean football from the very beginning.
Professional Career
Lee made his professional debut on July 29, 2018, in a 1–1 K League 1 draw against Jeju United FC, coming on as a substitute.
He spent a portion of that debut season on loan at FC Anyang in K League 2 before returning to Ulsan for the 2019 campaign.
The 2019 season marked his true breakthrough. He played 25 K League 1 matches and scored his first professional goal in a 3–1 victory over Suwon Samsung Bluewings on May 18, 2019. From that point, Lee became a consistent contributor for one of Korea’s most decorated clubs.
In January 2022, he joined Schalke 04 of the German 2. Bundesliga on loan, though a metatarsal injury limited him to just one appearance.
He was subsequently loaned to Hansa Rostock for the 2022–23 season, where he registered an estimated $1,074,020 in gross career earnings across his time in Germany, according to Capology.
Between 2024 and 2025, Lee completed mandatory South Korean military service at Gimcheon Sangmu FC, where he delivered 13 goals and 11 assists in 34 K League 1 appearances.
Following his discharge in October 2025, he returned to Ulsan HD and contributed directly before finishing the season with a broken rib.
Despite missing the final matches, he led the entire K League 1 with 25 goal contributions, 115 shot attempts, and 71 key passes — earning him the 2025 K League 1 MVP award, as reported by The Korea Herald.
On the international stage, Lee earned his first senior South Korea cap on September 5, 2019, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Georgia.
By October 2025, he had accumulated 16 senior caps and 3 international goals, including a strike in a 5–0 World Cup qualifying win over Sri Lanka in June 2021.
He also represented the South Korea U23 team at the AFC U23 Asian Cup, where the squad claimed the title in 2020 (held in Thailand).
His career trophies include the 2. Bundesliga title with Schalke 04 (2021/22), the AFC Champions League Elite with Ulsan HD (2020), and the AFC U23 Asian Cup with South Korea U23 (2020).
Lee Dong-gyeong’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Lee Dong-gyeong’s has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
He built this wealth primarily through his professional K League 1 salary at Ulsan HD FC, his military service earnings at Gimcheon Sangmu, and his brief stint in German football. As one of Ulsan’s top earners and the reigning league MVP, his financial standing continues to grow.
Contract
Lee Dong-gyeong is currently contracted to Ulsan HD FC in the K League 1. According to Transfermarkt, his last recorded contract extension with the club was in January 2021.
His current contract expiry date is not publicly listed, which is common for Korean domestic football agreements. His agent is CAA Stellar, one of the most prominent sports agencies in the industry.
He wears the iconic No. 10 shirt at Ulsan, a number that carries significant weight in South Korean football circles.
Salary
Exact salary figures for K League 1 players are not publicly disclosed in the same way as European leagues.
However, based on Ulsan HD’s reported total payroll and Lee’s status as the club’s featured attacking player and current league MVP, his estimated annual salary falls in the range of $350,000–$450,000 per year.
For context, Capology records his total gross professional career earnings (inclusive of his German loan spells) at approximately $1,074,020 as of the end of his Hansa Rostock stint in 2023.
His earnings since returning to Ulsan in late 2025 would push that career total considerably higher.
Ulsan HD carries the highest payroll in the K League 1, with an annual total of approximately €5.6 million across its squad, per Footystats — placing the average player salary around €224,869 annually.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ulsan HD FC / FC Anyang (loan) | Debut year; limited appearances |
| 2019 | Ulsan HD FC | Breakout season, 25 K League 1 matches |
| 2020 | Ulsan HD FC | AFC Champions League title; double-digit league goals |
| 2021 | Ulsan HD FC | Strong domestic season; international debut year |
| 2022 | Ulsan HD FC / Schalke 04 (loan) | Bundesliga loan; injury setback |
| 2022–23 | Hansa Rostock (loan) | 2. Bundesliga; est. $1.07M career gross at this point |
| 2024–25 | Gimcheon Sangmu (military) | 13G, 11A in 34 matches; K League 1 MVP (2025) |
| 2025–26 | Ulsan HD FC | MVP return; K League 1 ongoing |
Endorsements
Lee Dong-gyeong’s kit supplier is Puma, as listed on his official Transfermarkt profile. He is represented by CAA Stellar, a global sports agency with a strong roster of Asian footballers, which typically opens doors to brand partnerships across the region.
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | FC Anyang (loan) | K League 2 | 11 | 1 | — |
| 2019 | Ulsan HD FC | K League 1 | 25 | — | — |
| 2020 | Ulsan HD FC | K League 1 / ACL | 53 | 18 | — |
| 2021 | Ulsan HD FC | K League 1 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | Schalke 04 (loan) | 2. Bundesliga | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Hansa Rostock (loan) | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 10 | — |
| 2024 | Gimcheon Sangmu | K League 1 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Gimcheon Sangmu / Ulsan HD | K League 1 | 36 | 13+ | 11+ |
| 2026 | Ulsan HD FC | K League 1 | Active | 2+ | 3+ |
| International | South Korea | Caps | 16 | 3 | — |
FAQs
What is Lee Dong-gyeong’s net worth?
Lee Dong-gyeong’s estimated net worth is around $1.5 million. He earned this through his K League 1 salary at Ulsan HD FC, career stints in Germany, and his military service contract at Gimcheon Sangmu.
How much does Lee Dong-gyeong earn per year?
His annual salary is not officially disclosed, but based on Ulsan HD’s payroll structure and his MVP status, he likely earns between $350,000 and $450,000 per year.
What club does Lee Dong-gyeong play?
He plays for Ulsan HD FC in the K League 1, the same club where he started his professional career in January 2018. He wears the No. 10 shirt.
Did Lee Dong-gyeong ever play in Europe?
Yes. He joined Schalke 04 on loan in January 2022 but suffered a metatarsal injury after his debut. He then moved to Hansa Rostock on loan from September 2022 to June 2023, scoring 10 goals in the 2. Bundesliga.
What awards has Lee Dong-gyeong won?
His biggest individual award is the 2025 K League 1 MVP. He also won the AFC Champions League with Ulsan HD in 2020 and the AFC U23 Asian Cup with South Korea U23 in 2020.
