'Delighted' - Newcastle United official statement confirms third summer signing
Newcastle United have reportedly fought off competition from several clubs to sign the young winger.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of young South Korean talent Seung-soon Park from K-League 2 side Suwon Bluewings.
Park landed in the United Kingdom last week to undergo his medical before taking to the stands at Celtic Park on Saturday to watch Newcastle’s 4-0 pre-season defeat to Celtic.
The 18-year-old was pictured sitting alongside Newcastle’s newly-appointed head of football strategy Jack Ross, who will ultimately have a big say on the player’s development path.
Seung-soon Park joins Newcastle United
Park has made 28 senior appearances for the Bluewings in all competitions, registering one goal and three assists.
The winger, who has been capped five times for South Korea under-20s, will join the club's academy and link up with the Magpies' under-21 squad.
Park said: "It's a huge honour to join Newcastle United. It's a big step for me and I feel incredibly thankful for the faith the club have shown in me.
“I'm excited to develop here, learn from the coaches, and give everything to become the best player I can be."
Newcastle United beat several clubs to Seung-soon Park signing
After coming through the youth system at Suwon Bluewings, Park became the youngest goalscorer in the history of South Korean professional football when he netted in a 1-1 draw against Ansan Greeners FC in June 2024.
United are understood to have fought off competition from several European clubs to sign Park, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe by those within Korean football circles due to his electric pace.
Park previously trialled at Bayern Munich and, according to reports in Asia, has attracted interest from the likes of RB Salzburg, Hoffenheim, Valencia, Eintracht Frankfurt and Southampton.
Academy Director Steve Harper added: "Park is an exciting young talent with real potential. He's already shown maturity beyond his years in a competitive environment and we're delighted to welcome him to the club.
"His signing reflects our commitment to identifying and developing elite talent from across the globe and credit must go to our recruitment network, who continue to do an excellent job in identifying talented young players who have the potential to thrive here.
"We've seen our talent pathway produce some outstanding success stories in recent seasons and Park now joins a group of young players with that same opportunity ahead of them."
Newcastle United travelling to Asia
Prior to Park’s arrival, it had been suggested he could be part of Eddie Howe’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
Newcastle jetted off to Sinagpore on Thursday morning ahead of facing Arsenal at the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday before travelling over to Seoul to face the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur.
But with no mention of Park’s involvement on club channels, it can be assumed that he is not part of the squad.
Park officially becomes the Magpies’ third summer signing following Antonio Cordero’s arrival from Malaga and Anthony Elanga’s £55million transfer from Nottingham Forest.