 Although considered to have started too late by some, his enormous talent was evident and his reputation grew among the Seoul youth football development community.In 2003, FC Seoul, then known as Anyang LG Cheetahs in its modern incarnation, then manager Cho Kwang-rae began focusing on developing a youth academy within the team.Lee, who, at the time, was attending Dobong Middle School caught the eye of a scout and manager Cho decided to attend his match.