Yang Min-hyuk (18) of Kangwon FC, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in less than three weeks, has become the hero of the young player given to the player who showed the best performance in the season, achieving a successful conclusion.
The Korea Professional Football Federation held an award ceremony for Hana Bank’s K League 2024 at 3 p.m. on the 29th at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
Yang Min-hyuk received the most attention with pre-interviews of the attending coaches and players more than two hours before the main awards ceremony.
Gangwon officials even prepared a “table exclusively for Yang Min-hyuk” rather than a separate table for each club.
On the same day, Yang Min-hyuk was nominated for the K League 1 best-leven right-hand midfielder category, young player, and MVP, and challenged for three gold medals, while winning two gold medals excluding MVP. In particular, Young players received 11 votes for coaches, 10 for captains, and 115 for media (conversion score of 92.16).
Yang had a dramatic season this year. Yang, who signed a semi-professional contract ahead of the season, received full support from coach Yoon Jeong-hwan, including accompanying him to a winter training camp in Turkiye, and played 38 games, scoring 12 goals and six assists. CEO Kim Byung-ji made a bold decision to convert Yang’s contract into a professional one during the season.
Gangwon won the runner-up prize in the K League 1, the highest performance since its foundation, thanks to the performances of key resources such as Yang Min-hyuk, Hwang Moon-ki, and Lee Sang-heon.
With all the players taking a long break after the end of the season, Yang Min-hyuk will depart for London on March 16. Tottenham, which has been suffering from frequent injuries, has requested players to join the team early, which is unusual.
Yang Min-hyuk said in a press conference after the ceremony, “It’s great to receive the Young Player award with good performance. MVP was all players with good abilities, and I was confident in celebrating whoever received the award. I think we received the award because (Cho) Hyun-woo did a better job. Congratulations.”
When asked if his parents were not accompanying him to the ceremony, he said, “I didn’t come here in person. He saw me in the morning and told me that I was really cool. He congratulated me on receiving the award via messenger,” adding, “My parents are rather shy. I don’t think there’s a reason why they didn’t come.”
When asked to recommend a strong candidate for next season’s Young Player of Gangwon Province, Yang made a surprise official announcement. “It is very meaningful that (Yang) Hyun-joon (Celtic) will receive the Young Player award following his older brother’s footsteps. Aren’t they also from the same family?” Yang said, “I know that many good players will come in next year. Personally, I would like to recommend Yoo Byeong-hun, a Matango player. Although it is a short period of time, he has strengthened his friendship with me and is capable enough.”
The Premier League is a sad league in terms of tough pressure and fast tempo. While Yang Min-hyuk described his personality as “timid,” some said that he needs to become stronger and not feel intimidated as he faces off against the best players in the world. 스포츠토토
In response, Yang Min-hyuk said, “It’s something I keep thinking about. If I go abroad, I think I can change enough. I will think well according to the situation.”