Ji-Sung Park looks set to retire from professional football at the end of next season.
The former South Korea international, who won a century of caps for his country from 2000 to 2011, joined Queens Park Rangers in the summer after falling down the pecking order at Manchester United. However, he has struggled to make an impact at Loftus Road, as the club battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Park has made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Londoners, but he is yet to find the type of form which earned him a seven-year stint at Old Trafford. His father has now revealed that the 32-year-old is likely to call time on his playing career at the end of next season, when his contract in the capital will come to an end.
“Nobody knows the future; maybe he could play one more year with a new team after next season. But I think [Ji-Sung] has made his mind up to retire. He thinks he’s played enough,” Sung-jong Park announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“He’s never had times like this with PSV Eindhoven or United. My son has had difficult times at QPR this season; it was a new experience to him. Ji-sung said it’s difficult to keep his feel for the game as his playing time is inconsistent, but he doesn’t have any hard feelings.”
Park first made a name for himself in Europe during a three-year spell in Holland with PSV, during which time he helped them win two league titles and reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. The midfielder would go on to win the latter trophy whilst at United, as well as four Premier League titles and three League Cups.
Although a popular figure at Old Trafford, the South Korean was never able to cement a regular start in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Last term he made just 10 starts in the league, and he felt a more pivotal role at QPR represented a good opportunity. But as Harry Redknapp’s team look increasingly likely to suffer relegation this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Park decided to play his last season at another club.
