Gyeongnam FC midfielder Kang Hee Lee (24) is set to complete a transfer to Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Wien, in what marks a surprise leap for the versatile Korean talent who has yet to feature in the country’s top division.

According to Sports Chosun, Austria Wien activated Kang’s buyout clause and reached swift personal terms with the player, who is expected to travel to Austria shortly to finalize the deal. Once confirmed, he will become the 12th South Korean footballer to play in Austria, joining a list that includes Seo Jung-won, Kang Chul, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jin-hyun, and Hong Hyun-seok.

A Move from Under the Radar

Lee’s transfer comes as a surprise to many in the domestic football scene. While he’s a familiar name in the K League 2, he has yet to feature in the country’s top tier. However, his rise has been steady and earned him attention abroad over the past two seasons — including interest from Major League Soccer before Austria Wien stepped in decisively.

The Vienna club's scouting department had been monitoring Korean talents and identified Lee as a standout. A scout was dispatched to Korea to watch him live, and the player’s transition this season from center-back to a holding midfielder solidified his credentials. Under the guidance of Gyeongnam head coach Lee Eul-yong — himself a legendary full-back and midfielder — Kang has shown rapid growth and tactical intelligence.

With Austria Wien’s previous starting defensive midfielder recently departing, head coach Stephan Helm moved quickly to secure a replacement. The club submitted a buyout offer and swiftly reached personal terms with Lee, setting the stage for an imminent announcement.

Journey Through the K League

A product of Shinpyeong High School, Lee began his professional career at Suwon Samsung in 2020 but found playing time limited. After brief appearances in the FA Cup and a loan spell at Busan IPark in 2022 — where he made 19 appearances — he was loaned again to Gyeongnam FC in 2023. There, he finally hit his stride, making 34 league appearances and establishing himself as a reliable and intelligent presence in the midfield.

In 2024, Kang continued to impress, earning two Best XI selections in K League 2 and playing a central role in Gyeongnam's campaign. Standing at 1.91 meters, he combines strength with pace, technical ability, and positional flexibility — qualities that allow him to play as a holding midfielder, center-back, or even a target striker.

U-23 Captain and Hero Against Japan

Lee also gained national attention during the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which served as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. Although South Korea failed to qualify, Lee emerged as a leader on and off the pitch. His standout moment came in the group stage finale against arch-rivals Japan.

With several regular starters unavailable due to injury and suspension, head coach Hwang Sun-hong rotated nearly the entire lineup. Lee, though normally a midfielder, was deployed as a center-back and handed the captain’s armband in his first-ever Korea–Japan clash.

He rose to the occasion with composure and determination, anchoring the backline in a gritty 1-0 victory that secured South Korea’s top spot in Group B. Post-match, Kang reflected on the emotional weight of captaining his country in such a high-stakes encounter.

“Wearing the armband made my left arm feel heavier,” he said. “It reminded me of the responsibility that comes with being captain. It was a hard match, but the team fought together and we got the result.”

Kang-Hee Lee also praised his defensive partners Jo Hyun-taek and Lee Jae-won, as well as the collective spirit that defined the team's effort that night.

“We were determined not to lose. Even after securing qualification, we wanted to win against Japan. Everyone stepped up.”

Austria Wien: A Historic Destination

Austria Wien remains one of the most storied clubs in Austrian football. With 24 league titles, it trails only Rapid Wien (32) in all-time domestic championships. It was also the last team to break Red Bull Salzburg’s dominance by winning the Bundesliga in the 2012–13 season. Last season, the club finished third behind Sturm Graz and Salzburg, securing a place in European qualification rounds.

Kang Hee Lee will become the second South Korean to play for Austria Wien, following Ulsan’s Lee Jin-hyun, who had a short spell with the club during the 2017–18 season.

With his unique blend of leadership, adaptability, and technical skills, Kang-Hee Leenow looks set to test himself on the European stage — a long journey for a player once overlooked in Korea’s top division.