Kwon Hyeok-kyu, the promising 22-year-old midfielder from Busan IPark, is on the brink of a move to Glasgow.
He is set to join Celtic this week, following in the footsteps of one of his idols, Ki Sung-Yueng. The transfer, confirmed by his current club, will see Kwon team up with fellow countryman Yang Hyun-Jun at Parkhead.
As a youngster, Kwon found inspiration watching Ki Sung-Yueng grace the Celtic pitch. Ki’s two-year stint at Celtic, culminating in a £6 million move to Swansea City in 2012, left an indelible mark on the young Kwon. “This is a dream come true for me,” he told HeraldSport. “As a child, I admired Ki Sung-Yueng. He was an amazing player. It’s a great feeling to follow in his footsteps.”
Kwon is under no illusion about the challenges that lie ahead. Life in Europe and the rigours of the game won’t be easy. Yet, he remains resolute, “I am determined to become a better player. I believe I have grown as a defensive midfielder, and Celtic must have seen something they liked.”
Kwon has already sought advice from Celtic striker and compatriot, Oh Hyeon-gyu. “He urged me to move to Glasgow last winter, mentioning the strong presence of Japanese players at Celtic,” Kwon shared. “I haven’t managed to speak to him since the transfer was announced, though.”
The move to Europe represents a new challenge for Kwon, one he is ready to embrace. “I may struggle to adapt initially, but I will not be mentally shaken. I will continue to challenge myself and handle any slump wisely,”.
Kwon’s ambition at Celtic extends beyond personal success. He hopes that his performance will also earn him international recognition. “I intend to be a success at Celtic and hope it will help me gain international recognition too,” he stated.
We’re now all waiting for Celtic to confirm the deal. We believe Kwon and Yang will be announced at the same time.
