Son is going for gold

Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-Min Son is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season as he represents South Korea at the Olympic Games, but intends to ensure his trip to Rio is worthwhile by bringing home a medal.

South Korea, bronze medal winners at London 2012, have been drawn in a group with Germany, Mexico and Fiji with the tournament set to run from August 3-20.

Depending on their progress in Brazil, Son is likely to miss Tottenham’s Premier League matches with Everton and Crystal Palace.

(Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old admits he will wave goodbye to north London with a heavy heart, but intends to return with something to show for it.

“If that [winning a medal] wasn’t the case there would be no point going there,” said Son.

“I want to get a medal for South Korea. I run for South Korea every time, the same as I run for Tottenham. I’m not going there just to have fun and enjoy it, I want to win an Olympic medal as well.

“I watched the Olympics in 2012 in London and there were so many great performances there, so many people, so many sports. Everyone is excited. It’s a great feeling.”