Captain Son Heung-min announced on Saturday that he will be leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
During a news conference in Seoul, Son shared that deciding to leave the Premier League team was the hardest choice of his career. He mentioned that Tottenham, where he has played for the last ten years, is supportive as he prepares to move on.
“This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made. But I believe it’s the right time for this change. I hope everyone can understand and respect my choice,” said the South Korean star.
“I arrived in North London as a kid at just 23 years old, not speaking any English. Now, leaving this club as an adult is a moment of great pride for me.”
Last week, sources informed ESPN’s James Olley that LAFC wants to sign Son, who currently has a contract with the Spurs that lasts until 2026.
When asked in Korean about his future playing plans, Son said, “I don’t think I have an answer yet.”
New Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank announced that Son will start and serve as captain in the friendly match against Newcastle at Seoul’s World Cup Stadium on Sunday.
This might be Son’s last game for the Spurs, even though there is a UEFA Super Cup match against Paris St Germain coming up in Udine on August 13.
“It’s obvious that Sonny will start the game and lead the team as captain. If this turns out to be his final match, it’s fitting for him to play in front of his home fans. It could be a great way to end things,” Frank said.
Tottenham’s victory in the Europa League final against Manchester United allowed Son to lift his only trophy with the club. He became just the seventh player to make 450 appearances for Spurs, contributing 198 goals in the Premier League since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22 million ($29.8m).
“Winning the Europa League made me feel like I had accomplished everything I could here. Now, I’m looking for a new environment and a fresh challenge,” Son stated.
