Son signs a new deal at Tottenham - but still might need to do military service
The only way for the South Korea to avoid 23 months of military service is to win a Gold medal with his country at this summer's Asian Games
The South Korean forward, Heung-min Son, has extended his contract at Tottenham Hotspur until 2023. Although that deal might be interrupted if the player has to complete military service in his home country.
Son, who is 26, signed for Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. The winger, who can also play as a striker, has become a key member of Mauricio Pochettino's squad. He's signed a new deal at the North London club following a fine World Cup campaign, individually speaking, although South Korea were knocked out at the group stage. They did, however, manage to beat Germany in their final match.
That result wasn't enough to excuse Son from completing the obligatory military service though. The only way he can avoid 23 months away from the game is if he succeeds in winning a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games. Son is South Korea's best player but anything other than winning the football tournament, which takes place between the 18th August and 2nd September, will see his football career cut short.
There's a law in South Korea which excuses any sports star from national service if they win an Olympic medal or a gold medal at the Asian Games. He'll be part of the 23 man squad which will represent his country but before he travels to Indonesia, he'll fly out to the United States with Tottenham to compete in friendlies against Roma, Barcelona and Milan.
South Korea are one of the favourites to win the gold medal in football and have a rich history of success in the tournament. They've won three bronzes (1990, 2002 and 2010) three silvers (1954,1958 and 1962) and four golds (1970, 1978, 1986 and the most recent games in 2014, although Son didn't play in that tournament).
