Korean star Lee to play for Qatar´s Al Sadd

South Korean defender Lee Jung-Soo has agreed to play for Qatari side Al Sadd, officials from his current J-League club Kashima Antlers said Thursday.

Lee, who is 30, made his debut for South Korean national team in March 2008 and scored two goals in last month’s World Cup, helping his team reach the last 16.

“I feel very sorry that I will leave Kashima in the middle of the season. I received a chance to play football in different cultures. It’s a new challenge for me,” said Lee in a statement.

Lee, who joined Kashima from Kyoto Sanga this season, scored three times in 10 games, including a match-winning goal to help Kashima regain top spot in the league last Saturday.

The J-League has been overshadowed by rich Middle Eastern clubs who have repeatedly lured its most accomplished players, including Brazilians Davi from Nagoya Grampus, Kabore from FC Tokyo and Leandro from Gamba Osaka.