2 Korean teens sign with Hamburg SV

Football prospects Kwon Ro-an, 18, and Kim Dong-soo, 19, have joined Bundesliga’s Hamburg SV, where “sonsation” Son Heung-min of Bayer Leverkusen started his professional career.

Germany’s Sky Sports broke the news, reporting that Hamburg, which is impressed with Son, decided to add two Korean players to its youth team. Their contracts are in the process of being finalized, with negotiations pending on minor aspects like accommodations.

The contract guarantees the two will move from the youth team to the adult team after the 2014-15 season. Their contracts will expire in 2017.

Son made his debut with Hamburg SV in 2010 and played for three seasons. Bayer Leverkusen confirmed his transfer before this season for 10 million euros ($13.5 million).

“The club was looking for another Son from Korea for the past few years,” said Kwon Joong-hwa, Kwon’s father and the coach of the Sangil Middle School football team. “Most of the process went smoothly because the club had a good experience with Son.”

The two young football players are represented by Thies Bliemeister, who is also Son’s agent.

By Kwon Sang-soo