Son Heung-min's Spurs to visit Japan in July

Tottenham Hotspur will visit Japan this summer for the first time in 33 years to play a preseason match against Vissel Kobe on July 27, the London club announced Thursday.

Spurs’ visit to Japan marks another preseason tour to Asia, having visited Korea in 2022 and Singapore the following year. The London side’s last visit to Japan was in 1991 after they won the FA Cup.

Tottenham, led by Korean captain Son Heung-min, will play Kobe at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. Kobe is no longer home to former Barcelona midfielder Andreas Iniesta, who played for the team from 2018 to 2023 — the year they won the J1 League for the first time.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou also has experience in the J1 League, having won the 2019 J1 League with Yokohama F. Marinos, who saw their first title in 15 years and made Postecoglou the first Australian manager to win the J1 League.

“I’m delighted to be taking Tottenham Hotspur to Japan this summer for an exciting fixture against Vissel Kobe. This friendly will be another step in our preparations for the 2024-25 season,” Postecoglou said in the announcement posted online Thursday.

“Japan is a country I know well from my time managing there. It is full of passionate football fans and I’m looking forward to the players not only sampling the atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium but also experiencing some local culture and supporting good causes while we are there.”

During the preseason tour, Spurs will hold workshops with young Japanese players to help them learn and develop skills, according to the statement.

The London club will also meet with three official club supporters in Japan: Japan Spurs, Osaka Spurs and Kobe Spurs.

More details about the preseason match and ticket sales are yet to be announced.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]