Son Heung-min has announced his departure from Tottenham Hotspur after a decade, citing the desire for a new challenge. During his tenure, he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, becoming a pivotal player for the club. His final appearance is set for a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul. He expressed gratitude to the fans and the club, while rumored to be considering a move to MLS, potentially with Los Angeles FC.
In a move that has surprised many Tottenham Hotspur fans, Son Heung-min has officially confirmed his departure from the club this summer. After an impressive 10-year stint with Spurs, the South Korean forward has decided to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Son, who initially joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a reported fee of £22 million (€30 million), expressed his desire for a new chapter in his career as the primary reason behind his decision to leave. The 33-year-old is scheduled to make his final appearance for Spurs in a pre-season friendly match against Newcastle United in Seoul this Sunday.
During his time with Tottenham, Son has been a pivotal figure, making 454 appearances across all competitions. He has scored an impressive 173 goals and provided 96 assists for his teammates, solidifying his place as a key player in the squad.
In the Premier League alone, Son has netted 127 goals, placing him joint-16th on the list of all-time top scorers, alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. His contributions have been instrumental in Tottenham's success over the years.
"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 stated during the announcement. "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision.
"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.
"I want to say thank you 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 that and respect that."
Since his arrival in the 2015-16 season, only Mohamed Salah (270) and former teammate Harry Kane (231) have surpassed Son's involvement in Premier League goals, with Son contributing to 198 goals.
His most remarkable season came in 2021-22 when he scored 23 goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Salah and becoming the first Asian player to achieve this honor.
Among the 93 players who have scored at least 60 Premier League goals, Son stands out as the only one to have scored more than 36% of his goals with both his left and right feet, showcasing his exceptional ambidexterity.
In addition to his Premier League achievements, Son played 23 minutes in Tottenham's Europa League victory against Manchester United in May, where he captained the team to their first major trophy in 17 years.
"To spend 10 years at the club makes me so proud," Son added. "I feel I have achieved everything I can here. I am grateful the team has accepted my decision."
Son's departure marks the end of an era for Tottenham, as he has made the sixth-most appearances in the club's history, trailing only Cyril Knowles, Pat Jennings, Gary Mabbutt, Steve Perryman, and Glenn Hoddle.
Speculation has linked the South Korean international with a move to the MLS, with Los Angeles FC being the rumored destination. As he seeks a new environment to further his career, Son reflected on his decision, stating, "I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time.
"I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again."