Son Heung-min has agreed to join a new club after making ‘the most difficult decision’ of his career by leaving Tottenham.
The 33-year-old announced in an emotional press conference on Saturday that he had decided to leave Spurs this summer.
Son has spent a decade at the north London club, making 454 appearances for Tottenham since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.
He captained the club to their Europa League win last season as Tottenham clinched their first trophy in 17 years.
‘I came to north London as a kid – a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English,’ Son said.
‘Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.’
Son has agreed to join MLS side Los Angeles FC since deciding to leave Tottenham, who hired Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement in June.
LAFC are now in advanced talks with Tottenham over a fee for Son, with a £15m deal in the works.
Son’s former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris already plays for Los Angeles, who are managed by former USA defender Steve Cherundolo.
New Tottenham boss Frank described Son as a ‘true Spurs legend’ and ‘one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League’.
‘If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans,’ the ex-Brentford manager said. ‘It could be a beautiful ending.’
Tottenham face Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday afternoon as they continue their preparations for the 2025-26 season.
Discussing his imminent exit from Spurs, Son added: ‘Before we start the press conference, I just want to share the information that I’ve decided to leave the club in the summer.
Son hailed after confirming Tottenham exit
‘I love players that give so much to a football club. He’s never been on the front pages, never been a problem, never disrupted the camp, played second fiddle to Harry Kane for long periods, but was absolutely pivotal to his partnership with him.
‘Ten years, perfect. He’s lost half a yard, that has been detrimental to him as a player. But when I look at him, I just think what a great pro. If you’re any manager, Thomas Frank would love to have kept him and worked with him, but I think he’s done the right move.
‘I mean, last year, watching him coming off the bench so often and even Spurs fans saying that someone’s not quite the same player. He’s been an absolute legend at the football club. And seemingly just a great lad to be around.
‘He’s been a true professional that fans should just applaud. And I think it’s perfect timing for him to go on and pass a new challenge for him at 33.’
Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino speaking on talkSPORT
‘And respectfully, the club is helping me with my decision. So I just want to share this information before we start the press conference.
‘It was the most difficult decision of my football career. I’ve been here ten years at a beautiful club with beautiful fans and having such amazing memories.
‘And after all that, it was so hard to make this decision. But as I said, I feel like I need a new environment and to push myself.
‘And to get more of me, I feel like I need a little bit of change. Ten years is a lot of time when you’re thinking about it.
‘So and I came to London as a kid. 23 years old, a very young age [and] a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English.
‘And [I’m] leaving this club as a grown man. This is a very, very proud moment. So I just want to say thank you to all of the Spurs fans that gave me so much love.
‘I felt like it was my home. But yeah, it was, it was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made.’
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