Suwon: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has expressed his commitment to ensuring that the club's new South Korean signing, Park Seung-soo, plays in their upcoming preseason match on South Korean soil. The match is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Suwon World Cup Stadium, where Newcastle United will face Team K League, comprising top players from the South Korean league.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this match is part of the Coupang Play Series, organized by the local streaming service of the same name. Newcastle United, known for winning the English Football League Cup last season, will also compete against Tottenham Hotspur, led by South Korean star Son Heung-min, on Sunday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Park Seung-soo, an 18-year-old talent, was recently signed by Newcastle. Although he wasn't initially included in the club's squad for their Asian tour, he was on the bench during a friendly against Arsenal in Singapore last Sunday. Wednesday's game marks a return to his former home ground, as he previously played for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, a K League 2 club based at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
During the prematch press conference, Howe stated, "I think that I'll do everything I can to try and get him on the pitch because I think that would be important for everyone that comes to see him. So I'll certainly do my best." Howe also mentioned that Park's immediate future with the club is still uncertain, as the club plans to assess his potential role, noting his popularity and positive demeanor.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn expressed his support for Park, emphasizing the team's effort to ease his transition into the new league. Howe also highlighted the importance of allowing Park to play his natural game without overwhelming him with information.
Park's signing makes him the 20th South Korean player to join a Premier League club. Newcastle hopes that Park can emulate the success of Son Heung-min, the most accomplished South Korean player in the league. Howe praised Son's style and attitude, considering him an exemplary figure for any player to follow.
In addition to Park, Burn noted that several Newcastle players deserve attention during Wednesday's match, including Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy, and wingers Anthon Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and William Osula. Notably absent is top scorer Alexander Isak, sidelined by a minor thigh injury and subject to transfer rumors involving Liverpool.
The Coupang Play Series has previously featured prominent European football clubs, such as Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Sevilla FC, in South Korea since its inception in 2022.