Lee's foray as a professional footballer began with the
Suwon Samsung Bluewings as a draftee, and he spent two seasons with the club without ever featuring in the K-League before departing for single season spells with
Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i and
Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma. A two-year stint at
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors followed. Despite spending six years at K-League clubs, Lee had still to establish himself as a first team regular, accumulating a mere 24 games in the K-League, with a few matches in Cup competitions. Lee then dropped out of the K-League ranks to spend the 2002 season with amateur side
Seoul City FC before returning to the K-League with
Daegu FC for their inaugural season in the K-League. He finally was able to consider himself as a regular starter in Daegu's side for the 2003 season, playing 22 matches in the K-League. However, the following season he fell out of favour and saw much less match play. By this time
Chinese Super League side
Sichuan Guancheng was showing interest in Lee's services, and he subsequently signed with the club for the 2004 season. He spent only a single season in China before returning to South Korea for a final season in the K-League with
Daejeon Citizen. == Management career ==