Son Heung-min has officially joined Los Angeles FC in a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer, admitting the move wasn’t his initial plan — but a conversation with the club’s leadership swayed him.
According to BBC Sport, LAFC paid Tottenham Hotspur over £20 million for the 33-year-old forward, making it the most expensive signing in MLS history. The fee surpasses the £16.5 million Atlanta United paid for Emmanuel Latte Lath in February.
Son, who signed a two-year contract with an option for two more, revealed during a press conference on Saturday that he would be leaving Spurs after a decade at the club. He was in attendance at LAFC’s 2-1 Leagues Cup win over Tigres UANL on Tuesday night.
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“If I’m honest, it wasn’t my first choice,” Son admitted. “But after my season ended, I had a call with [LAFC co-president] John Thorrington. He changed my mind—changed my heart and my brain. He showed me where I needed to be. Now that I’m here, I’m more than happy and incredibly excited.”
In a club statement, Son added: “Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter. I’ve come to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans.”
Son reunites at LAFC with former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris, joining a team currently sixth in the Western Conference.
He played his final game for Spurs in a 1-1 friendly against Newcastle in his native South Korea last Sunday. Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to score 173 goals in 454 appearances. As captain, he led the team to Europa League glory in May, ending a 17-year trophy drought.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy paid tribute: “Sonny is one of the greatest players ever to wear the Lilywhite shirt. He’s not only a phenomenal talent but also an extraordinary person who has inspired countless fans around the world. We’re forever grateful for everything he’s done for the club, and he’ll always be welcome back as part of the Spurs family.”
