Spurs captain Son Heung-min says he is leaving the English Premier League club
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Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min reacting during a pre-match press conference in Seoul on Aug 2.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min said on Aug 2 that he will leave the club this summer after a decade in north London.
The 33-year-old attacker joined the English Premier League side from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to play more than 450 times for Spurs. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season.
Despite lifting the Europa League trophy in May, he endured a disappointing season by his usual standards, hampered by recurring leg injuries.
“Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer,” the South Korean told reporters in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour.
“Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.”
Son, who has scored 173 goals for Spurs and is under contract until 2026, cut an emotional figure but did not reveal his next destination.
He has been linked with a move to Los Angeles FC in MLS (Major League Soccer) in the United States.
“It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision,” Son added, flanked by new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.
“Playing football and being with one team for 10 years is something I am very proud of, but I think I gave my all to the team every single day. I did my best on the field and off the field.
“I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time. 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. It was the place where I grew a lot as a football player and a person, so I have a very grateful heart.”
Speaking in Korean, Son also said that winning a European trophy – Tottenham’s first continental crown in 41 years – played a “big part” in his thinking.
“Winning a title in Europe felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could,” he said.
“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.”
Frank, who joined Spurs from Brentford in June, paid tribute to the South Korean skipper.
“For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player,” said the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
“He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. I like that the club has been open to it because it is never, never easy to find that perfect timing... I think it is probably the perfect timing going out on a high.”
Spurs will face Newcastle United on Aug 3 in Seoul, and Son is guaranteed a rapturous reception in front of his home fans.
The club have had a fairly quiet summer in the transfer market so far, with attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United their only major acquisition.
Morgan Gibbs-White had looked set to follow from Nottingham Forest but a £60 million (S$102.7 million) move broke down.
Looking further ahead, Son also said that the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico may be his last, and that he wants to prepare for the global showpiece in the best way he can.
Should he move to North America, it would be the ideal preparation.
“The World Cup is going to be important. I want to be in an environment where I will be able to pour my everything into it,” Son said. “I want to end up in a place where I will feel happy playing football.” AFP, REUTERS
