Seung-Soo Park Loving Life at Newcastle | OneFootball

Following one of his first interviews with English journalists on Friday, Seung-Soo Park let out a big laugh as he left the room. The 19-year-old has quickly grasped the language and was able to express his thoughts to a huddle of journalists. Despite still not being fluent and having to pull out his phone to translate certain words and phrases, the young South Korean did admirably to speak to a group of people years his senior in a language he is still learning.

This came after Park played 80 minutes in a 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers U21 for Newcastle’s youth side, registering a goal and an assist. It’s clear to those who have watched him this season that he is adapting to the playing style in England, looking stronger and more physical in every game. His pace is still his biggest asset, but it is his work ethic – a strong determination to get back and help his team that really impressed me on Friday night.

Park has aspirations to make it into the first team and looks up to Anthony Gordon, the man whose position he wants to take, as he says he needs to reach the England international’s level.

Speaking following the game, Park said: “I’m so proud of my team. Every day in training, we are working so hard and it’s perfect.

“I am so happy, but I want more and more practice every day in training. I hope I can quickly play in the first team.

“Physically, I think when I first came I was here (gestures low), now I am here (gestures slightly higher), but I need to be here (gestures even higher) like Anthony Gordon. I feel better, and I am getting better.”

Robbie Stockdale was named permanent manager of Newcastle’s U21 side on Friday after an interim spell and also commented on the South Korean’s improvement.

He said: “When Seung-Soo first came in physically, he wasn’t at the level where we would like him. So we look at that, we work within our IDT, our sports science department, our medical department, and we tailor training sessions to build that up.

“I think now you can see that he has a lot more to come but in terms of where he is at, from where he started to where he is now, there has been a really good improvement and I think there’s more to come, which is the exciting bit.

“Where we get him to between now and the end of the season, we will keep working hard and hopefully next pre-season he will come back into the building and be in and around the first team in pre-season.”

Park was one of the most eye-catching players on the pitch on Friday night; his assist for Sean Neave’s opener was a well-weighted, smart pass for the striker, who cut inside then outside before lashing the ball home.

But it was the winger’s goal that was the highlight of the game. He used his pace to cut in from the left and line up a curling effort from outside the box that sailed beautifully inside the far post. A goal that Newcastle fans may be more familiar with Harvey Barnes scoring.

After signing in the summer from Suwon Bluewings he has made the first-team squad twice, both times at Aston Villa, on the opening day of the Premier League season and in the FA Cup Fourth Round. For the youth side, he has played in 29 games across various competitions, registering two goals and three assists. This level of output is far from spectacular, but this season was always going to be one of transition as he adjusts to a new country, language and environment.

For now, Park will continue his development in the U21 team, away from the spotlight of the Premier League but don’t be surprised if he makes a cameo or two next season. It may be a few years before he is ready to contribute to the first-team but it will be exciting when he does.