—- Korea Republic and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min was presented with the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Asian International Player of the Year 2017 award at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.Son received the award from AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh and AFC Social Responsibility Committee member and Korea Republic legend Park Ji-sung ahead of the Tottenham-Arsenal English Premier League match.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa hailed the talented forward who became the highest-scoring Korea Republic player in a European season. He said: “Asia is home to some extraordinary talent and Son Heung-min is a glowing example of our players shining on the biggest stages.
“Son is an outstanding player providing an inspiration not only to fans and aspiring footballers in the Continent, but also around the globe and I am confident this award is a sign of more to come in the years ahead.”
The 25-year-old fended off the challenge from Australia’s Aaron Mooy and Japan and Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa, marking the second time he has won the award following his recognition in 2015.
The 2016/17 season proved to be a stellar one for Son at club level, as he helped Tottenham to second spot in England’s top-flight, scoring 21 goals in all competitions for the London club. He was also an integral part of his nation’s FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification.
A virtual ever-present in the final round of qualifiers which saw the Taeguk Warriors eventually book a tenth World Cup final tournament appearance, Son is now set to feature at his second World Cup in Russia this year following his debut at the global extravaganza in 2014.
Son began his club career at youth level with FC Seoul in 2008, before securing a move to Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga. After a two-year stint with Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur signed the ever-improving player for 30 million euros in 2015.
