Tottenham sign South Korean prospect who could emulate 'outstanding' Son
Tottenham will sign 18-year-old South Korean international winger Yang Min-Hyeok on a five-year deal from Gangwon FC in January.
The deal ends speculation linking Spurs, who will field an XI from the top flight of the K League where Yang flourished, with the 2023 Under-17 Asian Cup runner-up.
“I know the level of the K League very well,” said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou when asked if Yang was close to signing earlier this week, adding that a potential deal was “difficult for me to discuss”.
“When I was at Celtic, we were looking to bring in at least a few Korean players at the time and I think they've brought in a few.
Yang meets Ange 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Ub0pSW4v6n
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 28, 2024
“We are always looking. I spent about four years in Japan. I have enjoyed my time here and I think the J League is a level competition, apart from the big five or six leagues in Europe, in terms of quality and other leagues.
“I believe that Japan has produced high quality players who have made a name for themselves in the Premier League. We have seen [Kaoru] Mitoma went to Brighton and the Premier League and did very well. I've taken three or four players, maybe more, to Celtic and they're all making an impact.”
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 28, 2024
South Korea captain Son 'outstanding'
South Korean star Son Heung-min has been a key figure for Spurs since joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 162 goals in 408 appearances.
“They had a positive impact in Europe, many Korean players – none bigger and none better than our Sonny,” said Postecoglou.
“He is a great player and a great person. He is the captain of our team… we are very happy to have him at our football club.”
오트니에 오신마다 다이트하다! pic.twitter.com/Y0h6qn24tT
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 28, 2024
Yang Min-Hyeok figures
Yang came through the youth team at Gangwon and has started all 25 of their league games this season, producing eight goals and four assists.
That included three goals and an assist in his last two games for the Under-16 and Under-17 internationals, who are traveling to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
Tottenham head to the Seoul World Cup Stadium to face the K-League line-up on Wednesday and Bayern Munich on August 3 (both 12pm).
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