Son Heung-min paused for a few seconds, struggling to say the words that were about to shatter the heart of every Tottenham Hotspur supporter.
When Spurs visit South Korea during pre-season, Son always speaks to the local media. He is captain of his country’s national team and probably the most high-profile Asian footballer of all time.
After winning the Europa League with Spurs in May, ending their 17-year trophy drought, Sunday’s friendly against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium was going to be an opportunity to celebrate. Son arrived with the rest of the squad at Incheon International Airport on Friday afternoon and was greeted by hundreds of fans. They crammed around the exit to the arrivals lounge while others took photos from the floor above. However, this trip has now turned into an emotional farewell.
At a press conference in the ICF Mall on Saturday morning, Son publicly confirmed that he wants to leave Spurs.
There has been interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, who are prepared to offer the Premier League side more money, but the forward prefers a move to Los Angeles FC, where his former Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris is the first-choice goalkeeper.
Wearing a black T-shirt with ‘Spurs’ on the front, the 33-year-old walked into the room on the mall’s third floor, along with the club’s new head coach Thomas Frank. They posed for a few photos, then, before taking questions from the group of around 40 journalists, Son made a statement in Korean. He was visibly emotional.
“Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer,” he said. “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is that I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I’m grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season.
“I came to north London as a kid — 23 years old, a very young age, a boy who couldn’t speak English. I leave this club as a man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home.
“I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that.”
At one stage, it looked like Son might burst out crying. He covered his face with his hands but regained his composure and repeated his statement in English. For the rest of the press conference, he switched between staring off into the distance while clasping his hands and then suddenly smiling when talking about his “10 beautiful years” with Tottenham.
Son revealed that he made the decision to leave earlier this summer. After he replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, Frank spoke to senior members of the squad. Son informed the former Brentford boss that he wanted a new challenge, but none of the other players expressed a desire to move on.
Until the morning before yesterday’s press conference, Son kept his revelation a secret from the majority of his team-mates, apart from a small group which included Ben Davies. Son is the godfather of Davies’ son, Ralph, and attended his wedding. Davies’ future is also uncertain after 11 years at Tottenham, and they could end up leaving the club at the same time.
“(Davies) fully respects my decision,” Son said. “So does everyone. What can I say? It’s very hard to tell my team-mates because I probably spend more time with them than my family, because we’re travelling together, spending time together every single day at the training ground, five or six hours every day. I think we know each other so well. Everybody was disappointed but, in a way, also very happy for me. That was my feeling, but I don’t know what they were actually feeling. They seemed happy but disappointed when I told them.”
Towards the end of the press conference, Son was asked a question by Sungmo Lee, a South Korean journalist who moved to London at the same time he joined Spurs. They have a close relationship, and Lee suggested Son had appeared unhappy during Tottenham’s open training session before they beat Arsenal 1-0 in Hong Kong on Thursday.
He has looked sluggish during games, although Frank has insisted the forward has been professional and trained to a high standard. Son admitted it had been difficult to hide his feelings, and you could feel a sense of relief that he can now talk about this subject in public — it is the biggest story in South Korea.
“It’s been a while since I decided to leave,” he said. “It was not easy days or weeks for me. I always try to be happy, and I’m happiest when I’m playing football, but it’s not easy to leave the club where I spent 10 years light-hearted.
“I tried to not give any negative impact on other players, didn’t want to make any sort of noise, but it was inevitable that people noticed my feelings. My fans even know my habits, so they could notice it, but I’ll try to have a good time for the two days while I’m in here.”
Son refused to comment on what team he might join next, but discussions between Spurs and LAFC, who are midway through their 2025 season, have been held over the past 24 hours. It means Sunday’s friendly against Newcastle could be his last in a Tottenham shirt. Son did mention that he had thought about next year’s World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, throughout this process, aware that might be his last appearance in the competition as he’ll turn 38 during the 2030 edition.
Frank was a spectator for the majority of the press conference, but was asked for his reaction. He announced that Son would start and captain the side against Newcastle — he came off the bench on Thursday, with Cristian Romero handing over the armband before the post-match trophy lift.
“I would love to work with him,” Frank said. “He is a fantastic person and player. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him from a distance. He has been here for 10 amazing years. He is truly a Spurs legend in every aspect. He is one of the best wingers who has ever played in the Premier League.
“It’s probably the perfect timing, going out on a high. Been here for 10 years, won a well-deserved trophy and been a key player for many seasons. If it is to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it in South Korea, his home country, in front of his home fans. That could potentially be a beautiful ending.”
Son and Frank held up a Tottenham shirt and posed for a few more photos at the end before heading off.
It has already been a summer of significant change at Spurs, and Son’s impending departure truly makes it feel like the end of an era.
(Top photo: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images)