South Korean football star Son Heung-min has officially signed with Los Angeles FC, completing a high-profile move to Major League Soccer (MLS) after ten seasons at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 33-year-old forward confirmed his departure from the Premier League club last week and was seen attending LAFC’s Leagues Cup clash against Tigres at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night. He waved to a cheering crowd from a VIP suite after being introduced on the stadium’s video screen.
LAFC is expected to unveil Son at a formal press conference on Wednesday. According to reports, the club paid a transfer fee exceeding $20 million—possibly the highest in MLS history.
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Son, widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer of all time, scored 173 goals in 454 appearances for Tottenham. He was a fan favorite for his pace, creativity, and finishing. Last week, he received an emotional farewell in Seoul during a friendly against Newcastle, where he exited the match to thunderous applause from nearly 65,000 fans.
Los Angeles, home to the largest Korean community outside of Korea, offers Son both a supportive cultural backdrop and a strategic opportunity. His arrival positions him not only as a major football asset for LAFC, but also a marketable figure akin to Shohei Ohtani of the LA Dodgers, who draws international attention from across the Pacific.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, to be hosted across North America, Son’s move could further raise his profile both on and off the pitch. The Korean national team captain has already pledged to take part in what will be his fourth World Cup appearance.
Son ended his Tottenham career on a high note, helping the club lift the Europa League trophy in May — their first European silverware in decades. Now, he joins an LAFC side currently sixth in the Western Conference with games in hand due to their participation in the Club World Cup.
While his tally of seven Premier League goals last season was his lowest since joining Spurs, Son remains a dynamic attacker and recently turned 33, younger than many global stars now playing in the MLS. Lionel Messi, Marco Reus, Luis Suárez, Olivier Giroud, and Hugo Lloris were all older when they moved to the United States.
Son will reunite with former Spurs teammate Lloris, now LAFC’s starting goalkeeper. With only one designated player spot currently occupied by Denis Bouanga, LAFC’s front office has faced criticism for underutilizing its spending power this season. An earlier attempt to sign French forward Antoine Griezmann fell through.
Both Son and Bouanga favor the left wing, but Son's tactical flexibility allows him to play across the front line, making him a valuable addition to LAFC’s counter-attacking, speed-oriented system — a style that is expected to complement his strengths far more than it did for Giroud, who left for Lille after a disappointing stint in Los Angeles.
LAFC may undergo further changes in the coming months, as head coach Steve Cherundolo is expected to depart for Germany after four successful seasons, including an MLS Cup title.
Source: Agency