South Korean football prospect Lee Seung-woo, on the verge of rejoining FC Barcelona, said Sunday patience will be a virtue once he lands back in Spain.

The 17-year-old departed for Spain on Sunday to rejoin the reigning La Liga champion, as an international ban on the club for violating FIFA's youth eligibility rules will be lifted.

FC Barcelona were penalized in April 2014 by FIFA for signing players under 18 and fielding ineligible players at youth levels between 2009 and 2013, and were not permitted to register new players through two transfer windows. Lee hadn't been able to dress for any official matches for Barcelona and had instead been working out with a South Korean club. The ban will end Wednesday, which also happens to be Lee's 18th birthday.

"I will go in with a fresh mindset and a clean slate," Lee told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "I am not worried about the days I've missed. I think it's important to try to get back on the same page with my teammates but not rush back into action."

Lee is expected to be with FC Barcelona's Juvenil A, their under-19 squad, or FC Barcelona B, their senior reserve club, the rest of this season.

The forward is considered one of the top prospects in the Barcelona system and could find himself on the first team during the 2016-2017 season, next to the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

"If I keep doing my best no matter where I play, I think some good opportunities will come my way," he said. "I'd like to thank the fans for supporting me through some difficult times, and I want to put on good performances for them." (Yonhap)