Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has announced he will leave the club this summer, ending a remarkable 10-year stint in north London.
The 33-year-old South Korean forward, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, making him one of the most prolific and beloved players in the club’s history.
Son, under contract until 2026, is in advanced negotiations with Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.
His decision to move to the U.S. comes just months after captaining Spurs to their historic Europa League final victory over Manchester United, the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, where Tottenham are currently on a pre-season tour, Son described his departure as “the most difficult one I have made in my career.”
“I came to north London as a kid, a very young boy who didn’t even speak English,” Son said, seated beside new Spurs manager Thomas Frank. “Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.”
Despite his impending departure, Son is expected to lead the team in Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle, a match that could mark his final appearance in a Spurs shirt.