Club Brugge's new Korean defender Lee Han-beam played the full 90 minutes in his debut match, leading his team to a resounding 3-0 victory. Here is a recap of his impressive first match, where he started just five days after his transfer and earned the Man of the Match (MOM) award.

After an impressive performance in the group stage match against Czechia at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, Lee Han-beam received love calls from major European clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Dortmund, Leipzig, and Napoli. A product of FC Seoul, he stepped onto the European stage by joining Danish club FC Midtjylland in the summer of 2023, where he solidified his position as a key defender, even scoring the winning goal in a cup final. After a fierce recruitment battle, Lee signed a contract with Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge on the 3rd, securing a deal that runs until 2029 and receiving the number 3 jersey.

His debut came just five days after the transfer. On the 8th (Korean time), in the first round of the 2026-27 Belgian Pro League home match against Kortrijk at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, Belgium, Lee started and played the full 90 minutes. Club Brugge secured a 3-0 victory in the match, and Lee was named MOM, receiving enthusiastic cheers from the local fans.

Despite being thrown into the match after only two training sessions, his adaptation was swift. Playing as the right center-back in a back-four line, he formed a partnership with Brandon Mechele and immediately blended into the defense. In the 21st minute of the first half, he blocked a shot from Shandre Campbell during an opposition counter-attack with precise positioning, and in the 30th minute, he served as the catalyst for Hugo Vetlesen's opening goal through a buildup from the back. In the 23rd minute of the second half, he won the ball with a clean tackle to spark a counter-attack, which led to an additional goal by Carlos Forbs. Later, a penalty kick goal by Nicolo Trevisani completed Club Brugge's 3-0 rout.

His performance was also backed by the numbers. He showcased stability across all defensive areas, recording a 95% pass accuracy (122/128), 146 ball touches, 8 clearances, 6 headed clearances, 7 recoveries, an 80% success rate in ground duels (4/5), and an 80% success rate in aerial duels (8/10). The football statistics outlet 'FotMob' awarded Lee the highest rating of the match for both teams with an 8.6 rating.

Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko praised him after the match, saying, "Lee Han-beam was selected as the MOM, and he received great love from the fans. It would be hard to ask for a better debut." Captain Hans Vanaken also commented, "What he showed today was unbelievable. He missed only one tackle, and he was very calm on the ball. Showing this kind of ability right away in a match is a huge asset."

Lee Han-beam stated, "Even though I just arrived, it already feels like home. It felt great to hear the fans chant my name, and my teammates' help was significant. I am naturally a player who plays the game calmly. Aerial ability, heading, and buildup play from the back are my strengths. I need to continue developing my skills when I face stronger opponents, such as those in the Champions League."