Son Heung-min Announces Departure from Spurs Amid Links to LAFC
After spending a decade with Tottenham Hotspur, captain Son Heung-min announced on Saturday his intention to leave the English Premier League club. The 33-year-old South Korean international, who played a key role in helping Spurs secure the Europa League title in May, described his decision as “the most difficult” he’s ever faced. He expressed gratitude for the club’s support as he seeks a new team, with the possibility of joining Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on the horizon.
Son is set to compete against Newcastle in a preseason friendly this Sunday in Seoul, which could mark his final appearance for the team. Throughout his illustrious career at Tottenham, he scored 173 goals in 454 competitive matches. Opening the news conference, he stated, “I have decided to leave this club this summer,” while acknowledging Spurs’ assistance in his decision-making process.
“I arrived in north London as a kid at 23, very young, and now I’m leaving as a grown man, which is a very proud moment,” Son shared, fighting back tears during his announcement sporting events. “I just want to say thank you to all the Spurs fans for the love you’ve shown me; it’s felt like home. This was one of the toughest decisions of my life… But I believe it’s the right time to make this change.”
When asked in Korean about his future plans, Son remarked, “I don’t think I have an answer yet.” Recently, he has been closely linked to a move to LAFC, with additional interest from Saudi Arabian clubs. He also confirmed that he intends to participate in the World Cup next summer in North America.
In May, Son celebrated his first title in Europe as Tottenham defeated Manchester United in the Europa League final—marking the club’s first major trophy since 2008. Following the match, he expressed, “I felt the pressure and wanted it so badly. It finally happened, and now I can sleep easy.” Son noted that the team’s recent success contributed to his decision, stating, “Winning the Europa League made me feel I had achieved everything here. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge.”
As one of the standout stars of the Premier League, Son and Harry Kane formed a formidable attacking duo. Tottenham reached the Champions League final in 2019, ultimately losing to Liverpool. After Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich in 2023, Son was appointed captain by former head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Thomas Frank, who succeeded Postecoglou in June, paid tribute to Son on Saturday, stating, “He is truly a Spurs legend in every aspect jaja maraguinot. One of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, in my opinion, as a winger three lifetime. I believe this is the perfect timing for him to exit on a high note. average erect size philippines” Son currently ranks fifth on Tottenham’s all-time scoring list, trailing Kane (280 goals), and holds the second-most Premier League appearances for the club, with 333—just behind Hugo Lloris (361).
Later in the news conference, Son reiterated that he has yet to decide on his future club. average monthly income in the philippines However, he emphasized that next year’s World Cup is his top priority for his home country. “I think I can share more about my future after tomorrow’s game once things become clearer,” he said. “My main focus right now is the World Cup. It’s likely to be my last, and I want to give it my all. I want to enjoy playing football, as this will significantly influence my future decisions. I’m still trying to organize my thoughts on that.”
What are your thoughts on Son Heung-min’s decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur?