The future of FC Seoul, Kang Sung-jin, 20, is being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Although it is unlikely, European interest in the rising technician seems to be growing.
On the 13th (KST), British media outlet ‘Team Talk’ reported that Tottenham’s new head coach Anze Postecoglou is recommending the signing of Kang Sung-jin, nicknamed ‘Little SON’. Citing a report from the Sunday Mirror, the outlet emphasized that the 20-year-old is one of the rising stars of Korean soccer and is the ‘Little SON’ who will succeed Tottenham legend Son Heung-min.스포츠토토
Kang made his professional debut in 2021 when he signed a semi-professional contract with FC Seoul while still a student at Osango. In his first season, he showed promise with one goal and two assists in 14 league games. In the 2022 season, he further established himself. In 34 league appearances, he scored one goal and provided four assists. He wasn’t much of an attacking threat, but his sharp left-footed kicks and dribbling runs made him a presence on the right flank.
The media took note: “He scored three goals in 57 games for Seoul, but his all-round play made him a player to watch in Asia,” said Team Talk.
Kang also competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which just concluded in Argentina. He played in six games, including the third-place game, and helped South Korea to a fourth-place finish.
While it’s not likely to happen, there’s no doubt that European clubs think highly of Kang. Furthermore, Australian coach Postecoglou is no stranger to Asian soccer, and in his previous stint at Celtic FC, he utilized a number of Asian players to great effect. Kyogo Furuhashi became the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership under Postecoglou’s tutelage, while Daizen Maeda, Yuki Kobayashi, and even Oh Hyun-gyu have all performed at a high level for Celtic.
He also spent three years as head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan’s J-League before moving to Europe, and has apparently been keeping tabs on Korean players through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.