Heung-Min Son prepares to make his Tottenham debut as the third-most expensive signing in the club’s history but he has been backed to succeed by one of their most popular players of recent times.

Son is expected to feature for Spurs at Sunderland on Sunday and, despite costing £22 million, he is relatively unknown to many fans in England, having spent his top-level career in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen.

Yet Rafael van der Vaart, who played for Tottenham from 2010-12, is confident the South Korea forward will deliver.

The pair formed a strong understanding during a single season together at Hamburg, when they were nicknamed “Van der Vater (father) and Son”.

Van der Vaart told Standard Sport: “Spurs is not a bad move for Son. He was a great talent when I was playing with him at Hamburg and I think he has everything to be a success at Tottenham.”

Even though Son has yet to play a competitive match for his new club, he has been quick to put down roots.

Rather than spending months in a hotel, earlier this week the 23-year-old moved into a house a short distance from Tottenham’s Enfield training base, where he will initially live with his parents. Father Wong-jung, a former footballer, exerts a significant influence on the career of his son, who operates as a wide forward but can also play through the middle.

Like most foreign players arriving at a Premier League club, Son was offered a translator but is thought to have rejected the chance to have one.

He already has some knowledge of English, having used the language to communicate with some team-mates in Germany, and feels he will be able to integrate better with players and staff without a full-time interpreter.

He plans to have English lessons when he is not playing or training.

It is believed Son spoke to both Ji-sung Park, the former Manchester United player, and Swansea midfielder Sung-yeung Ki about England and the Premier League before his transfer here.

Had his life unfolded differently, Son might have moved to Tottenham in 2013. Spurs were following the forward to the extent that Son even told friends that spring he would be leaving Hamburg for north London.

How did Tottenham's players fare on international duty? 12 show all How did Tottenham's players fare on international duty? 1/12 Hugo Lloris (France) The Spurs goalkeeper completed 90 minutes in both of France's recent friendlies. The 28-year-old kept out Cristiano Ronaldo and co to claim a clean sheet during a 1-0 victory against Portugal and conceded a solitary strike in the 2-1 win over Serbia. Little could be done to keep out Aleksandar Mitrovic's fortuitous deflected effort. (4) Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images 2/12 Toby Alderweireld (Belgium) The Belgian has partnered compatriot Jan Vertonghen in the centre of defence at White Hart Lane this term but was shifted out to right back for the national side in the past week due to fierce competition for places. The Red Devils are on course to qualify for Euro 2016 after victories against Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina as Alderweireld once again proved his versatility. (4) 3/12 Jan Vertonghen (Belgium) Like his Tottenham central defensive partner, Vertonghen is unable to command a starting berth for the national side in his preferred position. The 28-year-old slotted in at left back and provided an assured presence on the flank as Belgium saw off both Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina to close in on a place at Euro 2016. (4) 4/12 Kevin Wimmer (Austria) The 22-year-old has been an understudy at club level so far this season and fulfills a similar role for his nation. Uncapped at senior level, the central defender was on the bench as Group G leaders Austria claimed a place at Euro 2016 in style with a 4-1 victory over Sweden. Although Wimmer did not feature, the experience will have been a positive one. (3) 5/12 Ben Davies (Wales) The Welshman's battle for a place at left back with Danny Rose is an intriguing one but he is firmly established in Chris Coleman's side. The Welsh have been made to wait to secure a place in next year's tournament after being stifled by Israel but the 22-year-old will deservedly be part of the squad that will travel to France. (4) 6/12 Ryan Mason (England) Mason's impressive form has seen him leapfrog several other midfielders vying for position in England's squad, but he did not feature in either of the Three Lions' fixtures. The 24-year-old will have been pleased to be deemed worthy of inclusion yet also disheartened when Ross Barkley was given the nod instead of him after Fabian Delph's early withdrawal against Switzerland. Should be hungry to play this weekend. (2) 7/12 Erik Lamela (Argentina) Despite his average form for Spurs, the midfielder was included in Argentina's squad for their two friendlies against Bolivia and Mexico. Lamela started against the former but failed to get on the scoresheet in a 7-0 hammering before being dropped for the clash with the Mexicans. The 23-year-old watched on as established figures Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were called upon to salvage a 2-2 draw. (3) 8/12 Clinton N'Jie (Cameroon) New signing N'Jie travelled to Gambia with Cameroon as the Indomitable Lions maintained their perfect start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. N'Jie played 80 minutes as his side beat Mauritania last time out but was one of several players to make way this time around. The travelling time the forward has undertaken could harm his hopes of making his Premier League debut this weekend. (3) 9/12 Nacer Chadli (Belgium) Chadli is a constant in Belgium's squad but could struggle to claim a starting berth in the future. Marc Wilmots' side produced two hardfought displays to close in on a place at Euro 2016 but the Spurs midfielder did not feature in either. An unused substitute against both Bosnia and Cyprus, the 26-year-old could be squeezed out of contention by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne. (2) 10/12 Christian Eriksen (Denmark) The Tottenham midfielder's knee injury was expected to keep him out of Denmark's qualifier with Albania on Friday, but it was hoped he would be able to return against Armenia. However, the 23-year-old's complaint has still not fully healed and he was unable to feature. Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for him to return to full fitness. (1) 11/12 Harry Kane (England) Things couldn't have gone much better for Kane during the international break. Although he was unfortunate not to be handed a starting berth by Roy Hodgson he successfully forced his way firmly into the manager's thoughts with two superb substitute appearances. Spurs fans will hope the 22-year-old's sublime finishes against both San Marino and Switzerland will help him to get off the mark in the Premier League. (5) 12/12 Son Heung-min (South Korea) Tottenham fans could be excused for not knowing a great deal about their new signing but will have heard all about his exploits against Laos last Thursday. The forward scored a hat trick in an 8-0 rout and will come back to north London full of confidence, although he did miss the subsequent win over Lebanon. (5) 1/12 Hugo Lloris (France) The Spurs goalkeeper completed 90 minutes in both of France's recent friendlies. The 28-year-old kept out Cristiano Ronaldo and co to claim a clean sheet during a 1-0 victory against Portugal and conceded a solitary strike in the 2-1 win over Serbia. Little could be done to keep out Aleksandar Mitrovic's fortuitous deflected effort. (4) Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images 2/12 Toby Alderweireld (Belgium) The Belgian has partnered compatriot Jan Vertonghen in the centre of defence at White Hart Lane this term but was shifted out to right back for the national side in the past week due to fierce competition for places. The Red Devils are on course to qualify for Euro 2016 after victories against Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina as Alderweireld once again proved his versatility. (4) 3/12 Jan Vertonghen (Belgium) Like his Tottenham central defensive partner, Vertonghen is unable to command a starting berth for the national side in his preferred position. The 28-year-old slotted in at left back and provided an assured presence on the flank as Belgium saw off both Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina to close in on a place at Euro 2016. (4) 4/12 Kevin Wimmer (Austria) The 22-year-old has been an understudy at club level so far this season and fulfills a similar role for his nation. Uncapped at senior level, the central defender was on the bench as Group G leaders Austria claimed a place at Euro 2016 in style with a 4-1 victory over Sweden. Although Wimmer did not feature, the experience will have been a positive one. (3) 5/12 Ben Davies (Wales) The Welshman's battle for a place at left back with Danny Rose is an intriguing one but he is firmly established in Chris Coleman's side. The Welsh have been made to wait to secure a place in next year's tournament after being stifled by Israel but the 22-year-old will deservedly be part of the squad that will travel to France. (4) 6/12 Ryan Mason (England) Mason's impressive form has seen him leapfrog several other midfielders vying for position in England's squad, but he did not feature in either of the Three Lions' fixtures. The 24-year-old will have been pleased to be deemed worthy of inclusion yet also disheartened when Ross Barkley was given the nod instead of him after Fabian Delph's early withdrawal against Switzerland. Should be hungry to play this weekend. (2) 7/12 Erik Lamela (Argentina) Despite his average form for Spurs, the midfielder was included in Argentina's squad for their two friendlies against Bolivia and Mexico. Lamela started against the former but failed to get on the scoresheet in a 7-0 hammering before being dropped for the clash with the Mexicans. The 23-year-old watched on as established figures Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were called upon to salvage a 2-2 draw. (3) 8/12 Clinton N'Jie (Cameroon) New signing N'Jie travelled to Gambia with Cameroon as the Indomitable Lions maintained their perfect start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. N'Jie played 80 minutes as his side beat Mauritania last time out but was one of several players to make way this time around. The travelling time the forward has undertaken could harm his hopes of making his Premier League debut this weekend. (3) 9/12 Nacer Chadli (Belgium) Chadli is a constant in Belgium's squad but could struggle to claim a starting berth in the future. Marc Wilmots' side produced two hardfought displays to close in on a place at Euro 2016 but the Spurs midfielder did not feature in either. An unused substitute against both Bosnia and Cyprus, the 26-year-old could be squeezed out of contention by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne. (2) 10/12 Christian Eriksen (Denmark) The Tottenham midfielder's knee injury was expected to keep him out of Denmark's qualifier with Albania on Friday, but it was hoped he would be able to return against Armenia. However, the 23-year-old's complaint has still not fully healed and he was unable to feature. Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for him to return to full fitness. (1) 11/12 Harry Kane (England) Things couldn't have gone much better for Kane during the international break. Although he was unfortunate not to be handed a starting berth by Roy Hodgson he successfully forced his way firmly into the manager's thoughts with two superb substitute appearances. Spurs fans will hope the 22-year-old's sublime finishes against both San Marino and Switzerland will help him to get off the mark in the Premier League. (5) 12/12 Son Heung-min (South Korea) Tottenham fans could be excused for not knowing a great deal about their new signing but will have heard all about his exploits against Laos last Thursday. The forward scored a hat trick in an 8-0 rout and will come back to north London full of confidence, although he did miss the subsequent win over Lebanon. (5)

Yet, Son chose instead to join Leverkusen for £9.5m. He scored five goals in last season’s Champions League and 29 in 87 appearances during his two seasons for the club.

Spurs kept in touch with Son’s advisors during his time there and when they made their move, they had another factor in their favour — head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine was a fan of Son during his time at Southampton and it is understood he tried to bring the attacker to St Mary’s.

Son’s representative, Thies Bliemeister, revealed: “The coach was really important for our decision. For me he is a fantastic coach and it is not always easy to find a coach with a good character.

“We think Tottenham have a great coach and a good young team, and we believe they will play in the Champions League while Son is there. With Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen there, it should be a good combination with Son.”

Bliemeister discovered Son in 2008 at a training camp in Seoul at the headquarters of the Korean FA. He arranged a move to Hamburg when Son was only 15 but his ambition and appetite for work overcame potential difficulties. “Whenever I visited the Hamburg academy, he was never in his room because he was always outside, training,” recalled Bliemeister.

In a pre-season friendly against Chelsea in 2010, Son scored for Hamburg’s first team shortly after turning 18 — and it is believed the Blues were one of the clubs — along with Liverpool and Manchester City — who monitored developments this summer.

But Son’s camp are convinced that, at this stage of his career, he has a better chance of playing regularly, and succeeding, at Tottenham.

Whether Son stays at Spurs in the long term depends on his progress and theirs.

But if he can have a similar impact to his one-time mentor Van der Vaart, the benefits to player and club are there for all to see.