Then Newcastle United's midfielder Ki Sung-yueng waves to supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 27, 2019. (GLYN KIRK / AFP)

MADRID - Spanish Liga Santander strugglers Real Mallorca on Tuesday confirmed the signing of South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng on a contract until the end of the season.

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Ki had been close to a move to second division Huesca when Mallorca moved to sign him, while Betis had also been interested in the player

Ki, who has represented his country 113 times and also captained the South Korean national side, played in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cup finals, was able to sign for Mallorca after leaving Newcastle United by mutual consent at the end of January and had been without a club since then.

The 31-year-old has spent most of his career in England and Scotland, playing for Swansea City, Sunderland and Newcastle United, as well as with Scottish side Glasgow Celtic, for whom he scored 9 goals in 66 appearances between 2009 and 2012.

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According to the Spanish press, Ki had been close to a move to second division Huesca when Mallorca moved to sign him, while Betis had also been interested in the player.