Son moves to LAFC in reported record-breaking deal

Major League Soccer has another global star.

Son Heung-min joined Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, reportedly becoming the most expensive signing in league history.

The cost of the 33-year-old's move is around $26.5 million, sources told The Athletic's Paul Tenorio. The deal beats the previous record for an incoming MLS transfer, which was set in February when Atlanta United paid Middlesbrough $22 million to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Son signed a Designated Player contract with LAFC through 2027, with options for both the 2028 and 2029 MLS campaigns.

Son is arguably only third to Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and new Vancouver Whitecaps signing Thomas Muller in terms of recognizability in MLS. He has 14.5 million Instagram followers at the time of his move. He draws such a strong following from his homeland that many South Koreans were often seen in the stands and press box at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Now he moves to Los Angeles, a city with a sizable Korean population.

Son attended LAFC's 2-1 Leagues Cup win over Tigres on Tuesday evening. Nineteen-year-old David Martinez, whose minutes could be reduced following Son's arrival, produced a stunning brace in an impressive performance by Steve Cherundolo's side. LAFC's top scorer in MLS this season is Denis Bouanga with 13 goals.

"Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter," Son said in a statement. "I'm excited for this new challenge in MLS. I have come to L.A. to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans. I cannot wait to get started."

'Spurs will always be in my heart'

Son revealed his wish to leave Tottenham last Friday. The South Korean star was tearful during Spurs' friendly against Newcastle United in his homeland Sunday. He received a touching farewell from both teams when he was substituted and was later thrown in the air by Tottenham players. Members of his family also watched from the stands in Seoul.

"It was a beautiful moment, and it was really emotional," Son said. "Oof. I'm getting emotional again."

He added while holding back tears: "Spurs will always be in my heart. I will cheer as a family member. All the best, guys."

Son said during Friday's press conference that the decision to leave "was the most difficult" of his career.

"I came to north London as a kid. A boy came to London who couldn't speak English. I leave this club as a man," he explained, according to Alasdair Gold of Football London. "Thanks to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love."

Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly showed interest in Son, but the former Puskas Award winner preferred a switch to LAFC. Spurs, in recognition of his decade of service to the club, apparently wanted to make his exit as smooth as possible.

One of Son's best friends at Tottenham, Ben Davies, spoke about the forward's legacy at the club after the friendly against Newcastle.

"I'm pretty sure it's more than we could've ever dreamed of when we got him in, what he would've done for this club. Not just on the pitch, off the pitch," Davies said about Son, who's the godfather to Davies' son. "His personality, his charisma, how hard he works - to do so much for this club. He deserves whatever comes next."

Consistency for Spurs

Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 173 times in 450 appearances across all competitions. A beloved figure at the club, he put together a run of eight consecutive seasons in which he hit double digits in Premier League goals, including in 2021-22 when he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Son was named captain by former manager Ange Postecoglou in 2023. His crowning achievement with Spurs came when he helped the club end its 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in May.

"He told me a couple of days ago that he'd be leaving Tottenham this summer," Spurs midfielder James Maddison said Saturday. "It's weird for me. Since I joined the Premier League, even with Leicester City, Sonny is Tottenham, and Tottenham is Sonny to me."

Former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris is LAFC's first-choice goalkeeper. Gareth Bale, another Spurs favorite, won the 2022 MLS Cup with the Californian side before his retirement.

Postecoglou, who Tottenham sacked as manager shortly after winning the Europa League final, is among the coaches under consideration to succeed current LAFC boss Cherundolo when he leaves after the 2025 MLS campaign, according to a report in June by BBC Sport's Ian Dennis.