Son Heung-min to Depart Tottenham Hotspur After Ten Years
South Korean soccer star Son Heung-min will leave Tottenham Hotspur prior to the start of the Premier League season, concluding a decade-long tenure with the North London club. The 33-year-old, regarded as a national hero in South Korea, made this announcement amidst speculation regarding a potential move to Major League Soccer in the United States.
During a press conference in Seoul, held before a preseason friendly against Newcastle United, Son stated, “Before we start the press conference, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.” He described the choice as “the most difficult decision I have made in my career,” emphasizing his need for a fresh environment to continue pushing his limits. “I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey, Son remarked, “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.”
Since joining Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son has established himself as one of the club’s all-time greats, netting 173 goals in 454 appearances. He formed a prolific strike partnership with England legend Harry Kane, eventually succeeding him as club captain. Son was a standout player during the 2021-22 season, sharing the Premier League’s top scorer title with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, each scoring 23 goals.
In May, Son lifted the Europa League trophy after Tottenham secured a victory against Manchester United in the final. As a crucial figure for the South Korean national team, he has scored 51 goals in 134 matches, solidifying his status as the country’s most high-profile athlete.
New Tottenham coach Thomas Frank, who spoke at the same press conference, praised Son, calling him “a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League.”
The announcement of Son’s departure marks the end of an era for both the player and the club, with fans eagerly anticipating where his next chapter will lead.
