Tottenham Hotspur captain has said he wants to leave the club this summer. He made the announcement at a press conference in Seoul, where Spurs are currently on a pre-season tour.
âIâve decided to leave the club. The club is helping me with this decision and Iâm very thankful,â Son told reporters.
Son joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and has played over 450 games for the club. He scored 173 goals and became one of the Premier Leagueâs biggest stars. In May, he , the clubâs first European title in 41 years.
Son explains emotional exit
Son said the main reason for leaving Spurs is that he feels he has completed his journey at the club and needs a fresh challenge elsewhere. âIt was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham,â he said.
He added that he wants a new environment to push himself again and thanked the club for supporting his decision. âI need a new environment for a fresh challenge. Iâm grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season,â Son said.
“I came to north London as a kid. 23 years old, a very young age. A boy who couldnât speak English. I leave this club as a grown man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home. It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that,” Son said about his jouney at Spurs.
New Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who joined from Brentford, said he was sad that he wonât get to work with Son for long. âFor me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player,â Frank said.
âHe is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high.â
Tottenham will play Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday, August 3, and it could be Sonâs final match in a Spurs shirt. Frank confirmed that Son will lead the team out as captain for the match in front of his home crowd. “If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending.”