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Tottenham's Heung-Min Son says he has been released to play for South Korea at Olympics

Son Heung Min playing for South Korea Republic in 2015 Asian Cup final
Image: Heung-Min Son is eager to play for South Korea in Rio

Tottenham forward Heung-Min Son has been given permission to play for South Korea at the Olympic Games, according to the 23-year-old.

Son wants to represent his country in Rio in August as one of the three permitted over-age players, but his participation in Brazil would see him miss much of Tottenham's pre-season and the first few weeks of the season.

Clubs are not required to release players over 23 for the Olympics because the tournament is not organised by FIFA, but speaking in Seoul after Sunday's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic, he said: "I was told that I would definitely be allowed to play in the Olympics. What's important is when.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Watford
Image: Son scored eight goals in 41 appearances - 18 of those from the bench - in his first season at Spurs

"I would love to join my team-mates (in the Olympic team)... I'm trying to join them as soon as possible.

Son was part of the South Korea team that won bronze at London 2012 and the former Bayer Leverkusen man, who had a stuttering first season at White Hart Lane with eight goals in 41 appearances, wants to help coach Shin Tae-Yong's side again.

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"I would like to join the Olympics team soon to help it win a medal for two Olympics in a row," he added.

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