South Korean winger Yang Min Hyeok on Monday, he left Seoul for London to join Tottenham Hotspur in the middle of the season, where he will make contact with other foreign players Heung Min’s son.
Spurs signed Yang from Gangwon FC in July on a contract valid until 2030. The 18-year-old was initially due to join Ange Postecoglou’s squad in January, but now he arrives a month earlier than planned.
He will still not be eligible to play for the club before January 1.
Yang admitted to feeling anxious before the 14-hour flight, but shared his expectations of playing alongside Tottenham captain Son, the most popular sports figure in his home country and 14 years his senior.
Trying to sleep, he spent the early hours watching Spurs dominated 5-0 First league victory over Southamptonwhich started on Monday at 4:00 a.m. in South Korea.
“I’m excited to join the club. It would be an honor to play with Son and I would be grateful for this opportunity,” Yang told reporters at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.
“I imagined myself in this situation. I can’t wait to get there and show people what I can do and have the chance to play alongside him in the same match.”
Yang and Son have briefly crossed paths before. In July, Yang faced Tottenham in a friendly match representing the K League all-star team. In September, he joined Son in the South Korean national team after being called up to the senior squad for the World Cup qualifiers. However, he has not managed to get the cap yet.
Yang has scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 38 games for Gangwon this season. In March, just before his 18th birthday, he became the youngest goalscorer in K League 1 history.
He will be a welcome addition to an injury-ravaged Spurs squad.
“I would like to play in a game before the end of the season and hopefully score a goal or get an assist,” Yang said. “Since I’m joining the team mid-season, I’m focusing on rest and recovery to stay healthy in the future.
“Personally, I feel like I’m ready [for Premier League debut]. I will put on a good performance there and I hope the fans will continue to support me.
