Son Heung-min Shocks Football World with Spurs Exit Declaration as LAFC Circles Korean Superstar
Tottenham Hotspur skipper Son Heung-min has announced his departure from the North London club this summer, with LAFC strongly rumored to be interested in acquiring the South Korean forward.
Son made his announcement public during a media briefing alongside new Spurs manager Thomas Frank in Seoul, South Korea, prior to Sunday's pre-season match against Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
"Before we begin, I want to announce that I've made the decision to depart this club during the summer transfer window," Son stated. "With respect, this organization is supporting me in making this choice. This represents the toughest decision of my professional career. The primary factor is that I've accomplished all I can achieve at Tottenham. I require a different setting for a new challenge.
"My tenure here spans a decade. This is a wonderful institution with incredible supporters. I hold such treasured memories. I simply felt the need for a different environment to motivate myself and extract more from my abilities. I believe I require some change. A decade represents a significant period."
Son concludes his ten-year stint with Tottenham having netted 173 goals and provided 101 assists across 454 official appearances. He may feature one final time for the club against Newcastle before passionate South Korean fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday.
"I arrived in North London as a young player, aged 23," he continued. "[I was a] youth who came to London without English language skills, and departing this club as a mature individual fills me with immense pride."
LAFC Transfer on the Horizon?
"I don't believe I have a definitive answer at this time," Son replied when questioned about his future destination.
Multiple sources have connected him to Major League Soccer franchise LAFC. The organization seeks to recruit a new marquee Designated Player following their separation from French striker Olivier Giroud, and Son would help them create attacking balance alongside current DP winger Denis Bouanga.
Furthermore, former Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris remains an integral member of the West Coast MLS franchise, and the team has previously demonstrated willingness to acquire top-tier former Spurs players. Gareth Bale stands as the club's most notable acquisition and contributed significantly to their 2022 MLS Cup championship campaign.
A transfer to the United States and LAFC would likely bring substantial marketing benefits for Son. The nation hosts the largest Korean community beyond Korea itself, with the Los Angeles region housing over 350,000 South Koreans, per the Pew Research Center.
From a sporting perspective, Son would likely surpass the impact of Bale's previous stint with the organization and could establish himself as MLS's second-finest player, trailing only Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi. Simultaneously, his reputation and playing approach would mesh well under current manager Steve Cherundolo, and likely adapt to a new leader, as Cherundolo plans to step down following the season.
Additionally, he wouldn't be the sole veteran European talent heading to the West Coast, as Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller seems poised to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
LAFC presently occupies sixth position in the MLS Western Conference with 12 fixtures remaining in the regular campaign before potentially entering the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.