Football transfers: Son Heung-min to leave Spurs after a decade; where will he go next?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 02, 2025, 09:08 IST

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Tottenham's captain, Son Heung-min, announced his departure after a decade with the club, citing the need for a fresh challenge. Despite winning the Europa League, the 33-year-old South Korean is reportedly set to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. Son, who made over 450 appearances and scored 173 goals, expressed the difficulty of his decision.

Football transfers: Son Heung-min to leave Spurs after a decade; where will he go next?

Son Heung-min had joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. (AP)

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min announced his departure from the club after a decade during a press conference in Seoul on Saturday. The 33-year-old South Korean striker, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, made this decision despite lifting the Europa League trophy in May, following a challenging season marked by injuries and diminished performance.His next destination is reported to be Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in the USA's Major League Soccer competition. This would come despite reported interest also from clubs in Saudi Arabia.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Son has been a prominent figure at Tottenham, making over 450 appearances and scoring 173 goals since his arrival from the Bundesliga."Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision," Son told reporters during Tottenham's pre-season tour in Seoul.

The emotional South Korean captain expressed the difficulty of his decision while reflecting on his journey at the club."It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision," Son said, accompanied by new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank.

Son explained his reasons for leaving, emphasising his need for a fresh challenge."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 this club as a grown man, a very proud man."New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who replaced the dismissed Ange Postecoglou after moving from Brentford, praised Son's contribution to the club."For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player," Frank stated. "He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high."

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