Tottenham complete signing of South Korea starlet Yang Min-hyuk from Gangwon… but the 18-year-old won’t join the club until January 2025
The 18-year-old has agreed to a six-year contract with Ange Postecoglou’s side and will join the club in January 2025.
Yang has been widely compared to Tottenham’s current South Korean star and captain Son Heung-min.
Yang, dubbed by many as the ‘next Son’, has shone in the K League in 2024 and won the Young Player of the Month award in April, May and June.
The teenager has started all 24 of Gangwon’s league games so far this season, producing seven goals and three assists.
Tottenham have completed the signing of winger Yang Min-hyuk from K League side Gangwon
Yang is set to become the third Korean player in the history of the Tottenham men’s team.
The first was left back Lee Young-pyo, who represented Spurs 93 times between 2005 and 2008.
But Tottenham’s most famous Korean player past or present is undoubtedly Son, who has scored 162 goals in 408 games since his arrival in 2015.
Like Yang, Son’s natural position is as a wide attacking player but he was used more centrally last season following Harry Kane’s move from Spurs to Bayern Munich.
The current K League campaign will end on November 24.
With 15 rounds of fixtures remaining this season, Gangwon are currently placed fourth – just three points behind leaders Pohang Steelers.
Yang is likely to play against Spurs before he joins them.
That is because he has been selected to represent the K League in an all-star team that will take on Tottenham in an exhibition game in Seoul on Wednesday
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou appears to have all but confirmed the club’s 4th signing in Min-hyuk Yang, without naming the player.
The club are on the verge of completing a deal for 18-year-old winger from Gangwon FC, as recently reported by Fabrizio Romano.
The young South Korean talent has been identified by Spurs’ scouts as a player with significant potential.
Manager Ange Postecoglou recently spoke about the potential signing ahead of the pre-season tour match against Vissel Kobe.
He emphasised the club’s ongoing interest in diverse talent pools, including the K League, which he became familiar with during his tenure at Celtic.
Postecoglou acknowledged the quality and impact of Korean players in European football, particularly highlighting Tottenham’s own Son Heung-min.
He praised Son not only as an exceptional player but also as a remarkable individual and club captain, underscoring his importance to the team.
Yang Min-hyuk, who is the youngest goalscorer in K League 1 history, has had an impressive campaign, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 24 appearances.
Tottenham reportedly plan to allow Yang to stay with Gangwon FC until January, allowing him to develop before moving to England.
This potential signing aligns with Spurs’ strategy of identifying and nurturing young talent. Postecoglou’s comments reflect his confidence in the scouting process and the club’s commitment to enhancing its squad with promising players worldwide.
The 58-year-old head coach hinted at the club’s broad search for talent but remained diplomatic, not revealing much detail despite the advanced stages of the deal.
Postecoglou said (as quoted by Football London):
“Yeah, again I’m well aware of the quality of the K League. When I was at Celtic we were looking to bring over at least a couple of Korean players at the time and I think they’ve brought a couple over.
“Again they’ve made a fantastic impact in Europe, a lot of Korean players, none bigger and none better than our own Sonny. He’s just an outstanding player and an outstanding person. He’s the captain of our club and he’s just an outstanding individual, we’re super happy to have him at our football club.
“So yes, we’ll be looking far and wide for players and as you rightly said, it is difficult for me to discuss.”
As the move nears completion, Spurs fans can anticipate the addition of Yang Min-hyuk, who could be the next Son Heung-min in North London.
