Seoul: Newcastle United and a team of South Korean league All-Stars will join Tottenham Hotspur in a series of preseason matches here this summer.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean streaming service Coupang Play announced Tuesday that Newcastle United will make their first trip to South Korea as part of the "2025 Coupang Play Series." This event, organized annually by Coupang Play, showcases popular European football clubs in summer exhibitions.
Coupang had revealed on May 19 that Tottenham Hotspur, featuring South Korean-born captain Son Heung-min, will visit South Korea for the third time in four years for the preseason series. The inclusion of Newcastle United signifies the first instance where two Premier League clubs will face each other in the Coupang Play Series since its inception in 2022.
Newcastle United recently celebrated a significant victory, securing the English Football League Cup in March by defeating Liverpool. This marked their first domestic trophy win in 70 years. Additionally, Newcastle finished fifth in the Premier League, earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the upcoming season.
The team's offensive lineup is spearheaded by Alexander Isak, who achieved the second overall position in the Premier League this season with 23 goals. Notably, English midfielder Harvey Barnes has expressed that Son Heung-min has been a source of inspiration for him.
The series will also feature "Team K League," composed of All-Stars from the domestic league. Coupang Play is currently in the final stages of securing approval from the Korea Football Association regarding the match schedules and venues.