Korea int'l Lee Myung-joo expected to leave UAE for home

South Korean midfielder Lee Myung-joo is expected to leave his United Arab Emirates side and return home to continue his club career.

Local reports said Tuesday the 27-year-old midfielder will not re-sign with Al Ain. The second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League round of 16 series against Esteghlal on Monday was Lee's last match.

In this EPA photo taken on May 22, 2017, Lee Myung-joo of Al Ain (left) battles Majid Hosseini of Esteghlal (center) during their round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. (Yonhap)

And Lee went out in style, scoring a goal and setting up another in Al Ain's 6-1 victory at home, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. He was selected as the club's Man of the Match, as Al Ain moved on to the quarterfinals on 6-2 aggregate.

Lee recently turned down an extension offer. He still has to complete his mandatory military service, and he's hoping to do that with Sangju Sangmu, a team of conscripted players, in South Korea.

Lee has played in 13 matches for South Korea. He's on the current 24-man roster that will face Qatar in a World Cup qualifier next month in Doha. (Yonhap)