Yang Hyun-jun raring to go at Celtic after convincing Gangwon to let him leave early
A general view of Celtic Park before the cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers - April 2023
Yang Hyun-jun had to convince his former club to let him join Celtic in the summer rather than wait until January and he couldn't be happier.
Yang Hyun-jun declared his Celtic arrival well worth the wait as he claimed he was so happy that he felt he was still dreaming.
The 21-year-old South Korean winger had to persuade former club Gangwon to let him join Celtic this summer rather than wait until January while he helped them battle relegation from the K-League.
After signing a five-year contract earlier this week, Yang said: "I am very excited, I was always looking for this day, and I am so happy that I feel like I am in a dream.
"It was not so easy especially considering the situation of my former club but it was definitely worth waiting for.
"A lot of players and coaches around me in Korea gave advice that it might be more difficult to adapt in winter so they recommended transferring in summer."
Yang arrived at the same time as compatriot Kwon Hyeok-kyu and has been reunited with friend Oh Hyeon-gyu, who signed for Celtic in January.
Yang, who was his country's young player of the year last season, said: "Oh and I are good friends so after I decided to move to Celtic he gave me some good advice, that I have to be more independent and mentally strong as a player.
"I watched a few of Oh's matches and saw one of his goals. He made his signature pose and at that moment I was really inspired and motivated."
Defensive midfielder Kwon had even earlier inspiration after watching midfielder Ki Sung-yueng star for Celtic in his younger years.
Ki scored a spectacular goal in Celtic's 2011 Scottish Cup final win over Motherwell and Kwon wants to make a similar impact.
The 22-year-old, who signed from Busan I-Park in the second tier of South Korean football, said: "I am so happy to be at this club, who I always watched when Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri played.
"I remember watching Ki, who is one of my favourite players, scoring a long-range goal so I wish I can do the same for Celtic.
"Obviously Celtic is a Champions League team so they are well known in Korea and that's also why it was one of my dream clubs."
