Lee's pro debut was against Hanil Bank FC on March 8, 1986, for Hyundai Horang-i. In his first season, he played three games. He announced his retirement when the 1986 season ended. After he retired from football, he ran a bakery, but he was recalled by Kim Ho the new manager of Hyundai Horang-i in 1988. From 1989, he played again in the K-League for Hyundai Horang-i. In 1991, he moved to Ilhwa Chunma. Lee won the K-League winner title for the third consecutive time with Ilhwa Chunma.