Tottenham Hotspur, a prominent football club in the English Premier League, recently acquired the services of South Korean youngster Yang Min-hyuk. This move is part of a growing trend of East Asian players seeking opportunities in England, as clubs actively pursue talent similar to the accomplished Son Heung-min.

Over the past decade, Son’s accomplishments in Europe as captain of Tottenham and the South Korean national team have contributed to the emergence of players like Yang.

At the age of 18, winger Yang has made history as the youngest South Korean player to secure a contract with a prestigious English club in the top tier. Following the signing on Sunday, he is set to embark on a journey to London in January, marking the conclusion of his remarkable season with Gangwon FC in the K-League. During his tenure, he has demonstrated exceptional talent, contributing eight goals and four assists to the team’s success.

“I’m moving abroad so adapting is very important,” said Yang. “But there is Sonny (Heung-min) who will be a big help for my adapting process because we’re both Korean. Sonny is the captain of our national team and I’d say he had a big influence over my decision.”

Son, joint top scorer of the English Premier League in 2022, is perhaps the best-known Asian soccer star but there are others in the English Premier League. Last season his fellow Korean Hwang Hee-chan impressed at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma starred again with Brighton and Hove Albion.

“English clubs are traditionally conservative organizations, they don’t typically like to take risks but players such as Son and Mitoma have reassured prospective buyers that they are getting good deals,” Simon Chadwick, professor of geopolitical economy and sport at SKEMA Business School in Paris, told The Associated Press.

“Son in particular combines high quality play and consistency of performance with a stable personality and commercial appeal, which Tottenham secured at a relatively low cost.”

The Japanese and Korean markets offer value for money when compared to the European transfer scene. Yang cost a reported $5 million. Brighton paid just over $3 million for Mitoma.

Interest has filtered down this year to England’s second tier. Bristol City has signed Japanese winger Yu Hirakawa on loan from Machida Zelvia. South Korean forward Eom Ji-sung has moved to Swansea City and in January, Bae Jun-ho headed to Stoke City in January and Paik Seung-ho joined Birmingham City.

Blackburn Rovers and Hull City have recently been connected with Japanese winger Yuki Ohashi and South Korea’s Song Min-kyu, respectively. It is also advantageous that there are top coaches like Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou who possess extensive knowledge of Asian soccer.

The Australian has previously worked in Japan and has successfully brought in a number of Japanese players while serving as the head coach of Scottish giant Celtic before making the move to London in 2023.

“I really believe that Japan is producing some world-class players, who are already making their mark on the Premier League,” Postecoglou said ahead of Tottenham’s exhibition game with Vissel Kobe in Japan last week. Tottenham beat the Japanese side 3-2, with Son scoring a goal.

The Spurs will be playing against a K-League select XI on Wednesday in Seoul.

“Again, I am well aware of the quality of the K-League,” added Postecoglou. “They ’ve made a fantastic impact in Europe, a lot of Korean players, none bigger and none better than our own Sonny.”