The 30-year-old, who scored two goals at the recent World Cup including Korea's first of the tournament against Greece, joins the Qatar side after playing just 10 J.League games for his former club, as well as appearing five times in the Asian Champions League.

Lee will be Al Sadd's fourth foreign player alongside Ivory Coast striker Abdulkader Keita, Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj and Brazilian striker Leandro Da Silva.

The club confirmed on their official website that Lee had agreed a three-year contract and will link-up with his new team-mates at a training camp in Austria tomorrow.

"I feel very sorry that I will leave Kashima in the middle of the season," Lee told Kashima's official website.

"But I had the chance to play football in a different culture. It's a new challenge for me.

"It was a memorable six months for me with heart-warming support from Kashima's fans. After I go to Qatar, I will always remember Kashima. I would like to thank the fans and the club."