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Son Heung-min's Emotional Spurs Exit: MLS Move Looms After 10 Years
Aug 02 2025 07:37 · By James Goldman · 16 Reads
Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min was emotional after announcing his intention to to leave the club (Picture: AFP)
Son Heung-min looks set to continue his career in MLS after announcing his intention to leave Tottenham this summer.
The 33-yeear-old has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United .
It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a ‘fresh challenge’ during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham’s pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday.
After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son – following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club – confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with Los Angeles FC leading the race for his signature.
Son told a press conference: ‘Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer.
‘Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.
‘It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision.
Son captained Tottenham to last season’s Europa League triumph (Picture: AFP)
He continued: ‘I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time.
‘I came to north London as a kid, 23-years-old, such a young age. I leave the club as a grown man, a very proud man.
‘I want to say thanks to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love. I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision. I hope everyone can accept and respect that.’
New Tottenham head coach Frank confirmed Son would start and be captain in Sunday’s friendly with Newcastle at Seoul’s World Cup Stadium.
Thomas Frank confirmed Son would start against Newcastle in Sunday’s friendly (Credits: AP)
It could be Son’s final appearance for Spurs, despite the UEFA Super Cup fixture with Paris St Germain in Udine on the horizon on August 13.