Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has confirmed his decision to leave the club this summer after a remarkable 10-year tenure, marking the end of an era for one of the most iconic figures in modern Premier League history.
The 33-year-old South Korean international, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, has etched his name into club folklore with 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances. His departure, now imminent, comes amid advanced negotiations with Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.
“This has been the most difficult decision of my career,” Son Heung-min told reporters during Tottenham’s pre-season tour in Seoul, South Korea, where he is expected to make his final appearance in a Spurs shirt during a friendly against Newcastle United.
“I came to north London as a young boy who didn’t speak English. Now I leave as a grown man, proud of everything I’ve given and achieved at this club.”
Son’s leadership proved pivotal during Tottenham’s recent triumph in the UEFA Europa League final in May, where he captained the team to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United—securing Spurs’ first major trophy in 17 years. Appointed captain in August 2023 following the departure of Hugo Lloris, he leaves a legacy not only defined by statistics, but by unwavering loyalty and inspirational presence.
Tottenham’s new head coach, Thomas Frank, hailed Son as “a true Spurs legend” and “one of the greatest players to ever grace the Premier League.”
“If this is indeed Sonny’s final match, doing it in his homeland makes for a poetic farewell,” Frank said.
Son Heung-min, who is under contract with Tottenham until 2026, cited a desire for change and personal growth as motivating factors behind his departure. “I need a new environment to push myself. Ten years is a long time, and I’ve thought deeply about experiencing football in a different setting,” he said.
Throughout his Spurs career, Son set numerous records and milestones. He was the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021–22, sharing the honor with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with 23 goals. A year later, he became the first Asian to reach 100 goals in the English top flight.
His lethal partnership with former teammate Harry Kane remains the most prolific in Premier League history, combining for a record 47 goals—Son Heung-min scoring 24 and assisting 23.
In the Champions League, Son played a crucial role in Tottenham’s 2019 run to the final, where they fell to Liverpool. His consistency and flair earned him a place among the club’s all-time greats, with only five players—Cyril Knowles, Pat Jennings, Gary Mabbutt, Steve Perryman, and Glenn Hoddle—making more appearances in a Spurs shirt.
Son’s anticipated move to LAFC is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, potentially before Tottenham’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain on August 13.
As one of Asia’s most decorated footballers, Son’s departure signals a monumental shift for Tottenham and the Premier League alike—marking the end of a glittering chapter, and perhaps the beginning of a new one across the Atlantic.
For more updates on Son Heung-min and global football transfers, stay tuned to MyNewsGhana.org.
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