"Son confirms tough career choice: Leaving Tottenham"
Son Heung-min Bids Farewell to Tottenham Hotspur, Heads to LAFC in Record-Breaking MLS Deal
After a decade of service and numerous accolades at Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min is set to embark on a new challenge in the Major League Soccer (MLS). The South Korean forward has agreed to join Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in a historic deal worth around $26 million, making it the highest fee ever paid by an MLS club.
Son Heung-min's final appearance for Tottenham Hotspur will be in their pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday. The 33-year-old has expressed his intention to leave the club this summer, citing a need for a change of environment and a new challenge.
During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min has been a consistent performer, scoring 173 goals in 454 matches across all competitions. He is currently joint-16th in the list of all-time Premier League goalscorers, alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Son Heung-min's goalscoring prowess has been impressive, with over 93 players who have scored at least 60 Premier League goals, he is the only player to have scored more than 36% of his goals via both his left and right feet (39% left-footed, 58% right-footed). He has also provided 96 assists for his teammates during his time at the club.
Son Heung-min's contributions to Tottenham Hotspur have been significant. He has been involved in more Premier League goals than any player other than Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane since his first season at the club in 2015-16. In the 2021-22 season, he shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah, becoming the first Asian player to win the award.
Son Heung-min's leadership qualities were on display during Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League triumph against Manchester United in May 2021, where he captained the team and played 23 minutes in the match.
As he prepares to leave Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min has expressed his gratitude to the club and its fans for their support during his time at the club. He stated that it was a difficult decision to leave, but that he leaves the club as a proud man.
Son Heung-min joined Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a transfer fee of £22m (€30m). During his time at the club, he has made the sixth-most appearances in Tottenham Hotspur's history, behind only Cyril Knowles, Pat Jennings, Gary Mabbutt, Steve Perryman, and Glenn Hoddle.
As Son Heung-min embarks on a new chapter in his career with LAFC, he leaves Tottenham Hotspur with a legacy of success and a place in the hearts of the club's fans.
In his farewell message, Son Heung-min expressed his gratitude for his time spent at Tottenham Hotspur, a club in the English Premier League. As he transitions to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Los Angeles FC (LAFC), he will undoubtedly bring his goalscoring prowess and experience from European leagues to the American football circuit.
