Top 5 Asian players playing in Premier League

The Premier League, in recent times, has embraced the tendency of signing Asian talents.

The Premier League has always been a melting hotpot of footballing diversity in terms of representation across the continents. Since its inception in 1992, England’s top-flight football has seen some of the best Asian talents play for top clubs eventually becoming fan-favourites and club ambassadors.

Khel Now takes a look at the probable top five Asian players playing in the Premier League. We haven’t ranked them as all of them have contributed immensely to their team.

Son Heung-min (South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur)

Since arriving at Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, there has been no looking back for Son Heung-min. The South Korean forward has amassed goals and assists alongside England international Harry Kane up front until the summer of 2023. Always dedicated to improving his craft, Son became the first Asian player to score 100 goals in the Premier League and back home he is revered as a superhero. No wonder his remarkable streak of form at the top level has helped him earn the title of Best Footballer of Asia nine times in the last 10 years.

Hwang Hee-chan (South Korea and Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Hwang Hee-chan has bought in on life in England and is enjoying his time at the Molineux. The 28-year Korean forward has been an important asset for Wolves, scoring 20 goals in 80 appearances out of which 12 have come in the current season. Much to the delight of the Wolves’ fanbase, the forward has signed a contract extension that will see him play for the side till 2028.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan and Arsenal)

When Arsenal were negotiating for Takehiro Tomiyasu, manager Mikel Arteta didn’t get the chance to meet him in person. But for well under €30 million back in 2021, the Japanese defender has been a smart buy for the Gunners. With brief spells in J1 League and Belgian First Division A, the versatile defender experienced the might of the Serie A with Bologna, instantly establishing himself and gathering the attention of the media and supporters alike.

At Arsenal, Tomiyasu’s minutes are numbered, however he has not failed to impress in the limited opportunities that have come his way. In the 2023-24 season, Tomiyasu has contributed to 12 clean-sheets in 21 appearances in the Premier League.

Kaoru Mitoma (Japan and Brighton & Hove Albion)

From doing a university thesis on the ‘art of dribbling’ to finding the back of the net on the football pitch, Kaoru Mitoma is dedicated to improving himself. His deadly combination of speed and skill wears out opposition defences. Mitoma’s brilliance caught the attention of Premier League clubs during his brief stint in Belgium, with the Seagulls ultimately convincing him.

The 2022-23 season saw Brighton & Hove Albion fly high with the attacking prowess of Kaoru Mitoma, in which the Japanese attacking winger piled up 10 goals and eight assists. Earlier in the 2023-24 season, Mitoma became the first Japanese player to be awarded the Premier League Goal of the Month for August 2023.  

Wataru Endo (Japan and Liverpool)

When Liverpool found themselves in hot water to solve their midfield crisis in the summer of 2023, not many would have expected them to sign a 31-year old Japanese midfielder who had just played a vital role in VfB Stuttgart avoiding relegation from the Bundesliga. That’s how the Premier League chapter unfolded for Wataru Endo.

He was instrumental in Liverpool’s 2023-24 EFL Cup final win against Chelsea. For Jurgen Klopp, Endo is a hard-working individual who reads the game very well and gives his everything for the group. “He might be 31 on his passport, but he’s not,” Klopp joked in an interview. Liverpool fans hope they haven’t seen the best of Endo in a red shirt yet.

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