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Ki Sung-yueng Joins Spanish La Liga Club on Short-Term Contract

Left: Ki Sung-yueng (center) poses with Real Mallorca officials in this picture posted on the club's website on Tuesday. Right: Ki Sung-yeung's eyes are covered with a black line in this grab from the club's Instagram.

Footballer Ki Sung-yueng on Tuesday signed a short-term contract with Real Mallorca in Spain's La Liga after his bid to return to the K-League fell through.

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The contract only lasts four months until June 30, covering the remaining matches of the season.

In a video posted on the club's social media to introduce Ki, his eyes are covered with a black line, in a parody of the poster for the Oscar-winning film "Parasite", from his home country.

Ki's search for a new club has attracted huge interest among Korean fans. He became a free agent after terminating his contract with Newcastle United in the English Premier League by mutual consent last month.   

Ki, who had hoped to retire in Korea, negotiated with his former team FC Seoul as well as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, but the talks were thwarted by contractual difficulties.

Mallorca, which is on the verge of relegation this season, hopes the experienced midfielder can boost its fortunes.

Founded in 1916, the more than century-old club was promoted to La Liga from the second division in the 2018-2019 season, but has struggled this season. After 25 matches, it is sitting in 18th place among 20 teams with 22 points from six wins, four draws and 15 losses.

In the league, the three lowest-placed teams at the end of each season are relegated to the second division.

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