Son Heung-min’s LAFC Move Marks End of a Glorious Spurs Era and a New MLS Dawn
Son’s Next Chapter Begins in Los Angeles
Son Heung-min has officially completed his move to LAFC, closing the book on a historic decade with Tottenham Hotspur. According to The Athletic, “LAFC will pay Tottenham in the neighborhood of $26.5 million (£20 million) for the winger, sources said,” making it a record-breaking transfer fee in Major League Soccer.
It is a moment that signals both personal and professional transition. Son, now 33, becomes the highest-profile player in MLS not named Lionel Messi. He brings not only class and pedigree to Los Angeles but also serious commercial power, with the city home to the largest Korean population outside South Korea.
“Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer,” Son told reporters before his farewell match. “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career.” The game, fittingly held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, served as a poignant full-circle farewell.
Decade That Defined Tottenham
Son’s time at Tottenham was more than statistics, though his numbers are exceptional. He leaves north London with 127 Premier League goals and 71 assists, placing him among the elite, “one of just seven players ranking in the top 20 in both categories alongside legends like Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Mo Salah.”
He finishes as the fifth-highest scorer in Spurs history with 173 goals across all competitions and made a club-record 333 Premier League appearances. His crowning achievement came last season as he lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy, his final meaningful contribution in a Spurs shirt.
“Sonny is Tottenham,” teammate James Maddison said. “And Tottenham is Sonny. It’s weird to think about Tottenham Hotspur without Son.”
Son’s legacy is built not just on goals, but on loyalty, joy and dignity. “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,” he reflected. “It felt like it was my home.”
What Son Means to LAFC and MLS
Son’s arrival in Los Angeles has implications beyond the pitch. MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently hinted at transformative change, calling it MLS 3.0, with tweaks to the league’s structure, calendar and squad rules.
This summer has seen MLS act more aggressively. Rodrigo De Paul has joined Messi in Miami, while Thomas Müller is set for Vancouver. Son is now the face of the league’s biggest West Coast club.
MLS is shifting. “If the league can consistently blend those higher-profile signings with its teams’ more active stance in the global transfer market… it could help to push MLS to a higher standard,” The Athletic observed.
Bittersweet Goodbye for Spurs Supporters
For Tottenham fans, this goodbye comes with pride and pain. Son did not chase riches in Europe’s elite or decline in form. Instead, he left at the top, bringing closure with class.
“I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham,” Son said, “I need a new environment for a fresh challenge.” No player should be held back when they have delivered so much and seek something different. That sentiment, coupled with his decade of service, ensures he leaves a hero.
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The departure of Son Heung-min is like losing a member of the family. While everyone knew the day would come, that doesn’t make it any easier. It’s not just about goals or assists, it’s about his embodiment of everything Spurs fans want in a player: humility, work ethic and that dazzling left-footed strike.
There’s gratitude for the fact that he didn’t go to another Premier League club or a direct rival in Europe. The move to LAFC feels like a respectful and considered decision. It also opens the door for Tottenham to reshape their squad with clarity, rather than chaos.
Still, many fans will worry about the leadership void. Frank’s side now lacks an icon who carried them through tough spells. James Maddison’s words ring true: it really is difficult to imagine Tottenham without Son. The club now faces the task of transitioning both emotionally and tactically.
No replacement can emulate him exactly. Spurs must now lean into youth, smart recruitment and fresh direction. Son’s legacy demands that. He set the standard. It’s time for the next chapter, both for him and for Tottenham Hotspur.