Yang Min-hyuk (18, Gangwon FC) is expected to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier than expected.
British media ‘Football London’ reported on November 14, “Yang Min-hyuk is scheduled to join Tottenham training ahead of his official transfer to Tottenham, which is scheduled for January next year.” He continued, “I know that Tottenham manager Angel Postecoglou will give Yang Min-hyuk enough time to adapt.”
Yang Min-hyuk is considered the best rookie player ever in the K-League, which was launched in 1983.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240430.6d0720cd3edf4c15853277e72a3533ef_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="449" /> Enlarge photo Minhyuk Yang. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung 
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241110.ecd12b4bf57e431e8669eda27151ee0d_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="439" /> Enlarge photo Minhyuk Yang. Photo = Korea Professional Football League 
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20241026.27161e3b7c0c4bf7b6d6710a21e2bbef_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="439" /> Enlarge photo Minhyuk Yang. Photo = Korea Professional Football League
Yang Min-hyuk is a third-year student at Gangneung Jeil High School (Gangwon U-18).
Yang Min-hyuk made his professional debut in the opening game of K-League 1 this season. Yang Min-hyuk has been playing a key role in Gangwon’s attack since the opening game.
Yang Min-hyuk has 11 goals and 6 assists in 37 K-League 1 games this season. Yang Min-hyuk is playing in all K League 1 games played by Gangwon this season. In addition, he even recorded double-digit scores in the league.
Gangwon coach Yoon Jeong-hwan said, “The most surprising thing is that (Yang) Min-hyuk, a third-year high school student, is competing in all professional games. Min-hyuk’s strong stamina may be due to training, but I think it is innate.”
Yang Min-hyuk also said, “I think it’s because my parents inherited good physical strength from me,” and added, “I’ve been working hard at physical exercise ever since I entered high school.”
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240710.853c888ac7824d67bcf4d149980298c2_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440" /> Enlarge photo Minhyuk Yang. Photo = Korea Professional Football League
Tottenham confirmed the signing of Yang Min-hyuk, who is having an amazing professional debut season, in July.
Gangwon did not reveal the specific terms of the contract, but said, “It is the highest transfer fee among Korean players who moved directly from Korea to Europe.”
Yang Min-hyuk did not join Tottenham right away. It was agreed that he would join Tottenham after completing the K League 1 schedule for the 2024 season.
Yang Min-hyuk will join Tottenham from January next year.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240430.cc9daab64c6548acb70cf1a151f04c95_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="439" /> Enlarge photo Minhyuk Yang. Photo = Korea Football Association
Football London said, “The 2024 K-League 1 season will conclude after one more round after the A-match break in November,” and “Yang Min-hyuk will join Tottenham after taking a two-week break after the end of the season.”
He continued, “Yang Min-hyuk plans to join Tottenham in December and continue to adapt to the local area until he officially joins in January next year. “Work visas will also be issued at this time,” he said.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240529.18064aae5fdc4d7cb5079e919b392110_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="434" /> Enlarge photo Werner. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1 
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240824.42ed07df26a94a899da08cef571c844c_R.jpg" data-width="650" data-height="433" /> Enlarge photo Richarlison. Photo = ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Tottenham has been having a hard time managing lateral resources recently.
Son Heung-min and Timo Werner recently returned to the field after suffering from muscle injuries.
Wilson Odover and Richarlison were out of the team due to problems with their hamstrings (muscles behind the thighs).
However, it is unclear whether Yang Min-hyuk will be able to play in the English Premier League (EPL) from January next year.
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240511.bc220289b65d4a9a96140e3bb48354ae_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="447" /> Enlarge photo Son Heung-min. Photo = ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Football London predicted, “It will not be easy for Yang Min-hyuk to be included in the list of players from January next year,” and “He will focus on adapting to the new country, league, and culture.”
The media continued, “Yang Min-hyuk is now 18 years old. I am completing my first debut season as a professional. Yang Min-hyuk would have played more than 3,000 minutes this year alone. This is my first time running like this. He pointed out, “It would be physically difficult to jump into the EPL with faster speed and power in this condition.”
Football London also said, “It is not impossible for Yang Min-hyuk to adapt quickly. However, it takes time to adapt to the speed and power of the EPL. “Tottenham will be wary of the injury of Yang Min-hyuk, who played a full season in Korea.”
news/cms/202411/16/news-p.v1.20240731.ae57d3559fb9432ea7cb03e54dc352c7_R.png" data-width="640" data-height="722" /> Enlarge photo Yang Min-hyuk and Son Heung-min. Photo = Reporter Cheon Jeong-hwan
Gangwon is preparing to play against Pohang Steelers in the 38th round (Final A) of the 2024 season K League 1 at Gangneung Stadium on the 23rd.
It is Gangwon’s final game of the season and Yang Min-hyuk’s farewell game.
[이근승 MK스포츠 기자]
