The news that had been whispered throughout North London has finally become reality: Son Heung-Min is officially leaving Tottenham Hotspur. In recent years, the South Korean forward has been not only the club’s symbol but also the captain who united fans across the globe. Now, having spent exactly ten seasons in the white shirt, he embarks on a new challenge—Major League Soccer.
Emotional Farewell Words from the Captain
In his message, Son did not hide his emotion. He recalled arriving in England at 23 as “a boy who could hardly speak English” and emphasized that he leaves “a mature man who has achieved the dream of winning a European trophy.” The decision was far from easy: the Korean stresses his desire for a new environment where fresh competition will spur further growth. Fans appreciated his honesty—social media instantly filled with heartfelt messages and video montages of the captain’s best moments.
Final Appearance on Home Soil
Fittingly, Son’s last match in Spurs colours will take place in Seoul: Tottenham’s pre-season tour includes a fixture against Newcastle United on Korean soil. The club’s new head coach, Thomas Frank, has already confirmed he will start the captain from the first whistle: “If this truly is his final outing, it’s a great fortune to play it at home, in front of those who first gave him his love for football.” For the local fans, the evening is sure to be historic.
American Adventure: A Step to MLS and Reunion with Lloris
Son’s next destination is Los Angeles. Trusted insiders—from Fabrizio Romano to The Athletic—agree that the transfer is almost complete, with only formalities remaining. In California, he will be reunited with longtime teammate Hugo Lloris, who joined MLS a year earlier. With Olivier Giroud departing in early July, the Korean star is poised to fill the starring role up front. As the league’s popularity continues to soar, signing a player with a global fanbase marks another step in MLS’s growing international influence.
Golden Pages in the White Shirt
Son’s 2015 move from Bayer Leverkusen initially seemed risky: the first season was about adaptation. But by September 2016, he had exploded onto the Premier League scene, claiming his first of four Player of the Month awards. The true epic unfolded in the spring of the 2018/19 Champions League. With Harry Kane sidelined by injury, Son led the line—scoring against Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 and netting three goals across two legs against Manchester City, helping Spurs reach the final in Madrid. Despite the defeat, he was named the club’s Player of the Year.
Year after year, Son’s consistency alongside Kane formed the Premier League’s most prolific partnership: 47 combined goals—a record yet to be surpassed. In the 2021/22 season, he shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah after scoring 23 goals, becoming the first Asian player to claim the award. In April 2023, he reached the 100-goal milestone in the Premier League, entering the top five all-time foreign scorers in the competition’s history.
The Crowning Glory of His Career—A Long-Awaited European Trophy
In spring 2025, it seemed the story might end trophyless: an injury ruled the captain out of the decisive stages of the Europa League. Yet the script took a Hollywood turn. In the final against Manchester United, Son returned with the captain’s armband and lifted the club’s first European trophy in 14 years. He finished his Tottenham tenure as the fourth-highest scorer and fifth in appearances in the club’s history—a fitting finale for one of the greatest Spurs of all time.
A Lasting Legacy
Son’s ten years represent an era defined by sporting excellence, unrivalled work ethic, and genuine humility. He built a bridge between European football and Asia, inspiring thousands of young South Koreans to dream of the Premier League. Now, he exchanges the white of Spurs for the black-and-gold of Los Angeles. Although North London’s stands will no longer witness his trademark smile, the captain’s legacy is etched into Tottenham Hotspur’s history in indelible script.
Son Heung-Min leaves England, but not the hearts of the fans. Who knows—perhaps in a few years we will see him as a club ambassador or even a coach. For now, the football world watches in anticipation: how will the Korean phenomenon fare in MLS? One thing is clear: where Son goes, new records and small football miracles are sure to follow.
