Tottenham Hotspur star, Son Heung-min, departs with an undeniably solidified legacy established.
Son Heung-min, the South Korean footballer who has spent the last decade at Tottenham Hotspur, has announced his decision to leave the club and is likely to join Major League Soccer (MLS) and Los Angeles FC (LAFC).
During a press conference in Seoul, Son expressed his desire for a new environment and challenge after a decade at Spurs. He also hinted that his move to the United States could help with his preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Son has been a key player for Tottenham, scoring 173 goals in all competitions, which ranks him fifth in the club's all-time list. He has also scored 8 consecutive seasons of double-digit goals for the team. In the 2021-2022 season, he tied for the Premier League lead with 23 goals.
Son started his club career in Germany with Hamburger SV in 2010 before joining Bayer Leverkusen. He then moved to Tottenham in 2015.
Son has made 454 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, making him the seventh player in the club's history with at least 450 appearances. His memorable goal against Burnley in December 2019 won both the Premier League Goal of the Season and the FIFA Puskas Award.
Son is the first Asian player to top the Premier League in scoring. He has expressed a need for a new environment to push himself and get more out of himself.
Talks between Tottenham and LAFC are reportedly accelerating towards a transfer, with local reports and multiple sources confirming that LAFC is the primary MLS club linked to Son.
Son Heung-min reflected on his journey from "a kid who didn't even speak English" to "a grown man" at Saturday's press conference. He stated that he wants to end up in a place where he will feel happy playing football.
References: [1] The Guardian, "Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years" [2] ESPN, "Son Heung-min to join Los Angeles FC, per reports" [3] Sky Sports, "Son Heung-min leaves Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years" [4] CBS Sports, "Son Heung-min to join Los Angeles FC, per reports"
In the new phase of his career, Son Heung-min may shift his focus from European-leagues, particularly the Premier League, to the Major League Soccer (MLS) and Los Angeles FC (LAFC). Despite his impressive achievements in the Premier League, Son has expressed a need for a new environment to further his football journey.
