Heung-Min Son has left Tottenham after 10 years on the membership to hitch Los Angeles FC for a Main League Soccer file price of over £20m.
The ahead had introduced his resolution to go away Spurs at a press convention forward of their pre-season pleasant towards Newcastle within the participant’s native South Korea final Sunday, which was his remaining sport for the membership.
Son revealed he made his resolution to depart some time in the past, however solely advised just a few gamers. Spurs boss Thomas Frank knew of Son’s resolution forward of their first pre-season sport at Studying earlier this month.
The 33-year-old needed to maneuver to MLS regardless of renewed curiosity from Saudi Arabia.
‘Hardest resolution ever’
In a publish to Spurs followers on Instagram, Son, who has signed an preliminary two-year take care of LAFC with choices for an additional two, wrote: “Easy methods to discover the precise phrases for this? I do not know. I’ve been pondering for days. It is inconceivable. However right here I am going.
“It is time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur. My house for the previous decade. Once I arrived in 2015, I did not communicate English, I did not know London, however you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me, and stood by me by each excessive and low.
“I used to be only a boy from Korea with massive desires who was purported to don’t have any probability. And now, 10 years later, North London is in my coronary heart without end.
“I’ve made friends for life here, had the honour of becoming a godfather here, and had the privilege of captaining our special club here. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this club, which makes this the hardest decision ever.
“I believed if I used to be ever going to go away, it must be on my phrases, on the most effective phrases, when our mission had been achieved collectively. With satisfaction and honour.”
Son is fourth on the list of Spurs’ all-time record goalscorers – behind only Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith.
Son has 173 goals and 101 assists for Spurs in all competitions, including 127 goals and 27 assists in 333 matches in the Premier League.
His last competitive game for the club was the Europa League final win over Manchester United in Bilbao last season.
The winger was a second-half substitute in that match and lifted the trophy after full-time – Spurs’ first major honour since 2008.
‘Son considered one of Spurs’ best gamers’
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy stated: “Sonny is one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous Lilywhite shirt and he has been a joy to watch over the past decade. Not only is he a wonderfully gifted footballer, but he’s also an incredible human being who has touched hearts and inspired people throughout the Club and all over the world.
“The Europa League triumph in Bilbao was a really magical second within the Membership’s historical past and Sonny lifting the trophy is an ideal lasting reminiscence from his improbable decade at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Sonny has given so much to this Club, both on and off the pitch, and for that we are forever grateful. We wish him all the best for the future, and he will always be welcome back at the Club as a beloved and cherished member of our Spurs family.”
Evaluation: Son a Spurs and Premier League icon
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
Heung-Min Son will go down as considered one of Tottenham Hotspur’s standout gamers of the fashionable period. There’s even a good argument to say he’s the standalone Spurs icon of this era.
Harry Kane could also be Spurs’ all-time file goalscorer, however Son will at all times be remembered because the one who stayed.
Kane gave Spurs followers extra goalscoring moments down the years, however Son holds only one second – the trophy carry in Bilbao – which stands above all when it comes to Spurs’ latest historical past.
And it’s value remembering that a lot of Kane’s targets got here from Son’s assists. Statistically talking, Son was one-half of the deadliest striker partnership in Premier League historical past.
Son and Kane set one another up 47 occasions throughout 229 video games collectively – no Premier League pair has managed extra. The 2020/21 marketing campaign was the spotlight of their partnership, with their 14 assists for targets between them essentially the most in a single season.
Thomas Frank described the South Korean as one of many best Premier League wingers of all time, and his numbers are undoubtedly up there.
Not solely is he fourth on Spurs’ all-time high goalscorers checklist, however he’s sixteenth on the Premier League’s scorers chart – and considered one of solely 34 gamers to be within the Premier League 100 targets membership.
Since his Premier League debut, solely Mohamed Salah has extra objective contributions. Son even has greater than Kevin De Bruyne in that point, regardless of the Belgian becoming a member of Manchester Metropolis in the identical summer season that Son arrived at Spurs.
All that plus a lovable character that even rivals followers couldn’t argue towards, it highlights that Son isn’t just a Spurs legend, however a Premier League one too.
Sky Sports activities to point out 215 reside PL video games this season
Sky Sports activities to point out 215 reside Premier League video games this season
This season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will improve from 128 matches to not less than 215 video games completely reside.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games are on Sky Sports activities.
