In Seoul, the Spurs say goodbye to a son, as they confront a storm due to Maddison's injury.
Son Heung-min Bids Farewell to Tottenham Hotspur and Joins Los Angeles FC for Record-Breaking Transfer
In a dramatic turn of events, Son Heung-min, a beloved figure at Tottenham Hotspur, has officially transferred to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC (LAFC) for a record-breaking fee of $26.5 million. This makes it the highest transfer fee ever paid in MLS history.
Son's decade-long service at Tottenham Hotspur came to an end on Sunday, as he played his final match at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The match, a friendly against Newcastle United, ended in a 1-1 draw. Son started the game and scored the first goal for Tottenham in the fourth minute, with Brennan Johnson getting the equalizer for Newcastle in the 38th minute.
Son received a guard of honor from both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle players, along with a warm ovation from the crowd, as he bid a teary farewell. He was substituted in the 65th minute, making way for new signing Mohammed Kudus.
Son joined Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and famously led the team to their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League triumph over Manchester United last May. His departure leaves a significant void in the team, as he departs with 454 appearances and 173 goals.
Meanwhile, James Maddison was forced off with a knee injury during the game. The injury is the same one he suffered in May and missed the final part of last season.
In a separate development, LAFC announced the loan signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham, who will join until the end of next season with an option to make the move permanent.
Son's move to LAFC is a significant one for the club, MLS, and the Korean-American community in Southern California. He not only adds a top-class player to the league but also boosts the profile of Korean soccer in the U.S. LAFC expects Son to play a pivotal role in their quest for titles and continue to grow the club's stature internationally.
Son was unveiled at BMO Stadium shortly after his arrival in the United States and called joining LAFC a "dream come true". He praised the club owners for their efforts in signing him and acknowledged that LAFC was not his initial choice but was convinced by their vision and ambition.
The match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United was attended by 64,773 people.
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Son's transition to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) marks a significant shift in European-leagues football, as he officially joins the MLS club from Tottenham Hotspur, becoming a key player in the world of sports. In LAFC, Son aims to make his mark on not only the Korean-American community in Southern California but also MLS, contributing to the league's growth and increasing the profile of Korean soccer in the United States.
