Spurs star Son excited for ‘special’ Leverkusen reunion

By Ihesiulo Grace

18 October 2016

Sports

The South Korea international is set to face the Bundesliga side for the first time since leaving in August 2015, as Spurs prepare for Tuesday’s Group E tie

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min is relishing the opportunity to reunite with former club Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Son is set to face Leverkusen for the first time since leaving in August 2015, as Tottenham prepare for Tuesday’s Group E fixture.

The 24-year-old South Korea star spent two years at Leverkusen, scoring 21 goals in 62 appearances before his £22million transfer to White Hart Lane.

“It’s a special game for me because I played there for two years,” said Son. “I had some great times there and made so many friends also. I am very excited to be going back.

“If I score against them, I will not celebrate. I respect them too much.

“My two years there was a good time for them and also a good time for me. I am really happy for them, I want to show respect.”

After a mixed first season in England, Son has shone in 2016-17 – scoring five goals in seven matches.

And as Son finally shows his true potential, the former Hamburg man has credited ex-team-mates Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rafael van der Vaart for his success.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy helped me a lot. He saw my first training session and he talked to me,” Son said. “He told me I was a good player. He gave me confidence and I want to thank him for that. We had a really good team and were successful for a time with him.

“Also Rafael van der Vaart came and he helped me. He told me more about English football and how tough it was. I was only young. I listened to him and tried to learn from what he was saying.”