While Yang Min-hyuk (Kangwon FC), one of the top prospects in the K League, is about to transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League (EPL), Yang Min-hyuk’s military problem is also being watched by overseas fans.
On the 26th (Korea time), overseas transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed Tottenham Hotspur’s recruitment of Yang Min-hyuk on his SNS account, saying, “Yang Min-hyuk is going to Tottenham! We have recruited a winger from Gangwon FC in 2006.”
Romano added, “As reported yesterday, Yang Min-hyuk’s first medical test has been booked and he will then sign a long-term contract at Tottenham. He will probably join Tottenham from January 2025.”
Yang Min-hyuk, who was born in 2006 and plays for Gangwon FC, began his soccer career as Kyung Hee FC Youth in 2017. After that, he entered Gangneung Jeil High School in 2022 and joined Gangwon U-18 before signing a semi-professional contract with K League 1 Gangwon FC a year later. Yang Min-hyuk is a promising player who has previously played as a member of the Korean U-17 national team. In addition, he earned the title of a high school student for the first time in K League 1.
In particular, he scored the first goal in an away game against Gwangju FC in the second round, surpassing the youngest score by the Gangwon club to win the youngest score in K League 1 history.
Yang Min-hyuk is a resource that is considered to be excellent in aggressive play, goal-making ability, and speed, and dribbling ability.
As the news of Yang Min-hyuk’s transfer spread, the interest of overseas soccer media, especially Tottenham’s media and fans increased significantly. In particular, Tottenham reporter and Alasdair Gold from Football London called him “NEXT SON,” which means Son Heung-min’s successor. 노래방알바
Yang Min-hyuk scored his eighth goal in the 24-25 round of Hana Bank’s K League 1 at Gangneung Stadium on the 26th, and combined for his team’s 4-2 victory with one goal and one assist. Later, in an interview with the media, he said, “It’s not official yet, it’s speculation, but it’s not a groundless story.”
It is certainly a green light for a Korean player with excellent skills to advance to the EPL, but there remains a stumbling block to him, who is still young, as a military service issue.
Not only Korean soccer fans but also Tottenham fans overseas are paying close attention to Yang’s military service. One overseas fan posted on the account of Lee Sung-mo, a journalist specializing in British soccer, on X (formerly Twitter) expressing concern, “Please explain Yang’s military duty. Should I join the military before joining Tottenham?”
In response, another fan wrote, “Yang has three ways to be excluded from military service. The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games gold, the 2028 LA Olympic gold, the 2030 Qatar Asian Games gold. You can win gold medals in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics gold medal (wild card) and the 2034 Riyadh Asian Games (wild card). You don’t have to worry. There are many opportunities and Korea is a powerhouse in the Asian Games.”
Soccer events at the Asian Games are only allowed to participate until the age of 23, but the wild card system is not subject to age restrictions.
Some others expressed their opinion that it would be okay for Yang Min-hyuk to seek overseas expansion after completing his military service quickly.
Regarding Yang Min-hyuk’s overseas transfer, Gangwon FC CEO Kim Byung-ji is expected to talk directly through a live broadcast between the 28th and 29th.
Meanwhile, Yang Min-hyuk, who was selected for the K-League team, will face Tottenham in the first game of the 2024 Coupang Play Series at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 31st.
