07.06.2016 10:40 h

Son gets Spurs go-ahead for Rio

South Korea striker Son Heung-Min on Tuesday said his club, Tottenham Hotspur, had given him the green light to play the Rio Olympics, although it wasn't clear exactly when he would be released.

Son's availability is a boost for South Korea, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallists, whose coach Shin Tae-Yong had said that talks with the English club were not going well.

"I was told that I would definitely be allowed to play in the Olympics. What's important is when," Son, 23, told reporters.

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

Shin wants to recruit Son as one of his three allowable over-age players for the Games in August, where football is an under-23 competition.

Clubs are not required to release players over 23 for the Olympics, which are not organised by football's world body FIFA.

Son arrived in Seoul on Tuesday after South Korea's 6-1 defeat to Spain last week and Sunday's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Prague.

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