Lee Han-beam proved worthy of the highest transfer fee ever paid for a defender in Club Brugge's history in his debut match.

Having joined Danish side FC Midtjylland on a three-year deal and arrived on the Belgian stage, Lee made his first start just four days after his signing was announced. Without any special adaptation period, he anchored the defense and delivered a debut performance that exceeded expectations.

In the 2026-2027 Belgian Jupiler Pro League round 1 home match against Kortrijk held at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on the 8th (Korean time), Lee played the full 90 minutes as a center-back and led his team to a 3-0 victory. His transfer fee of 10.5 million euros (approximately 17.1 billion KRW) is the highest ever for a defender in Club Brugge's history.

He recorded dominant defensive statistics. With 146 ball touches and a pass accuracy of 95% (122/128), he showcased top-level precision within the team. He also made 13 defensive actions, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, and 6 headed clearances, demonstrating his presence on both ends of the pitch.

He also had his decisive moments. In the 5th minute of the first half, when opposing striker Goduon Koyalipu attempted a shot at an empty net after rounding the goalkeeper, Lee threw his body on the line to dramatically prevent a goal. In the 23rd minute of the second half, he advanced into the attacking third, won the ball with a tackle, and initiated the sequence that led to an additional goal.

Football statistics outlet FotMob awarded Lee the highest rating on either team with an 8.6, and Sofascore also gave him a high rating of 8.9. He was named the Man of the Match (MOM), capping off a flawless debut.

After the match, Lee shared his thoughts: "It was my first time at the home stadium, but it felt as comfortable as home. I was happy that the fans were chanting my name." He added, "Aerial duels, heading, and footwork are my strengths, but I will continue to elevate my performance to face stronger opponents."

Head coach Ivan Leko praised him, saying, "There could not have been a more wonderful debut." Team captain Hans Vanaken also spoke highly of him, stating, "Lee's calm play is a great asset."

Meanwhile, Lee, who had drawn attention as a next-generation defender after starring for the South Korean national team at the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup, received passionate cheers from the Brugge fans, who repeatedly chanted "Lee! Lee! Lee!" in celebration of his impressive debut.