Jesse Lingard, just like Marco Polo, has had one stay in the Far East. Now the attacking midfielder, who many believe to be Swedish because of his name back home in England, is again out of work.
Rather than walking the streets at home in Manchester, Jesse Lingard is posting evidence on social media that he is training hard in the hope of being picked up by England’s contained national team manager Thomas Tuchel for this summer’s World Cup finals.
“Jesse Lingard wants to go to the World Cup and Robin van Persie wants to keep his job“
It is not enough to have a gym and now that the winter market is closed to players with contracts, the window is open to clubless.
Arsenal and Manchester United legend Robin van Persie, who ended his career at Feyenoord, is now the manager of the Dutch giants. Robin van Persie has contacted a mutual ex, Manchester United player Jesse Lingard.
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Jesse Lingard, who of his own volition has become clubless, quickly returned to European football after becoming clubless. Back in February 2024, Lingard left European football by signing for South Korean K League club FC Seoul.
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The former England international made a total of 67 appearances for the club and scored 19 goals.
In December 2025, it was confirmed that Lingard would leave FC Seoul after the two parties agreed to end his contract.
Confirming his departure, Lingard wrote: “Goodbye @fcseoul, it has been an honour to represent this club. You will always have a place in my heart.”
His last game was against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League Elite on December 10. Lingard was on the scoresheet when the game ended 1-1.
Now, as a clubless player, Lingard has been linked with a number of different clubs.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Lingard wants to make a decision on his future by the end of the week.
It is claimed that Dutch giants Feyenoord are among the clubs that have contacted Lingard regarding a potential transfer.
A move to Rotterdam would see Lingard reunite with his former United teammate Robin van Persie, which should be tempting.
However, the former striker is under increasing pressure after falling further behind PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie’s title race. – Sunday’s away game at Stadion Galgenwaard against Utrecht is referred to as a game of fate for Robin van Persie. If things don’t go well there, it doesn’t help much if the “cavalry” arrives the following week.
In addition, Feyenoord suffered a major injury nightmare in recent weeks, when Van Persie’s son, Shaqueel, was carried off the pitch with a serious knee injury.
Lingard, who has reportedly stayed active with a training programme, would be one of the clubless attacking players available to Van Persie. Apart from Feyenoord, it is also said that clubs such as West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Genoa have made contact with Lingard.
Before moving to South Korea, Lingard also had stints at West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Derby County.
So far in his career, the 33-year-old has scored 77 goals in 385 club games.
