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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Ki Sung-Yueng and his Celtic influence over Kwon Hyeok-kyu

Incoming Celtic star Kwon Hyeok-kyu has revealed he used to watch Ki Sung-Yueng play for the Hoops when he was younger.

And he's desperate to follow in his footsteps and be a success in Scotland. The 22-year-old Busan IPark midfielder is set to complete a move to Parkhead after his club confirmed the transfer and he will join up with countryman Yang Hyun-Jun.

And Kwon has admitted he can't wait to get started at Celtic after growing up watching Ki, who spent two years at the club before clinching a £6 million move to Swansea City in 2012.

He said: "This is a dream come true for me.

"I used to watch Ki Sung-Yueng as a kid when he was at Celtic. He was an amazing player. As a child, I looked up to him and admired him.

"So it's a great feeling to go there too.

"But I feel sorry for my club Busan IPark because I would have liked to have get a win for them before I moved.

"My last match for them didn't go well and I'm sorry that I couldn't show my fans a good performance to say goodbye.

"I know it won't be easy in Europe and I have heard it isn't simple living abroad either.

"But I am determined I will be a better player.

"I think I have grown as a defensive midfielder and I think Celtic must have liked what they saw when they watched me because I have done not too badly in that position."

And he's already spoken to countryman, Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, who urged him to go to Glasgow several months ago.

He said: "In the winter, I contacted him, but I haven't managed to speak to him since the transfer was announced.

"He told me last winter that there were a lot of Japanese players at Celtic and that I needed to go there quickly!

"Going to Europe is a new challenge. It won't be easy at first. I may not be able to adapt initially, but I will not be mentally shaken.

"I will continue to challenge myself and if there is a slump, I will handle it wisely.

"At Celtic, I intend to be a success and I hope it will also help me get international recognition too."

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