{"id":39481,"date":"2025-08-02T07:41:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T07:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/39481\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T07:41:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T07:41:08","slug":"son-heung-min-announces-he-intends-to-leave-tottenham-hotspur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/39481\/","title":{"rendered":"Son Heung-Min announces he intends to leave Tottenham Hotspur"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> and new head coach Thomas Frank are in Seoul preparing to play Newcastle<\/a> at the World Cup Stadium on Sunday, the final stop in Spurs\u2019 preseason tour.<\/p>\n

It may be the last time Tottenham fans see Son Heung-Min play in a Spurs shirt.<\/p>\n

Spurs\u2019 club captain and the man who lifted Tottenham\u2019s first trophy in 17 years and won the first European title since 1984, announced that he has asked to leave the club this summer for a new challenge<\/a>. According to the Athletic, Son made the decision earlier in the summer and communicated his decision to Frank. He publicly announced his decision to leave in front of the media in Seoul, where he became visibly emotional.<\/p>\n

Son has been linked for weeks now with a move to LAFC in Major League Soccer, and that appears to be his most likely destination. Numerous reports have confirmed that LAFC and Spurs have been negotiating over Son\u2019s transfer for a little while now, with talks continuing. He also has interest from Saudi Arabia, but Son is said to prefer a move to Los Angeles, where there is a sizable Korean and Korean-American population. <\/p>\n

Son\u2019s decision comes just months after he helped Spurs win the Europa League over Manchester United<\/a> in Bilbao, the culmination of a decade of play at Tottenham. He is one of the club\u2019s longest tenured players \u2014 only Ben Davies has been at the club longer \u2014 and he will leave Spurs as one of its most popular players in the modern era, and a genuine, bonifide club legend. <\/p>\n

In comments to the media, Frank confirmed that Son will start the match against Newcastle in his home country. <\/p>\n

Thomas Frank confirms Son Heung-min will start and captain Spurs against Newcastle tomorrow in Seoul.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s going to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to finish his Tottenham career in his home country. It could potentially be a beautiful ending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) August 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Spurs return to London following the match, and it\u2019s likely his future will be confirmed shortly afterwards. It\u2019s sad for all of us, but it\u2019s hard to think of anyone who deserves to determine his own future more than Sonny.<\/p>\n

Son\u2019s departure leaves a gaping hole in the side, but also presents an opportunity for Frank to retool the squad in his own image. There\u2019s still plenty of young attacking talent on this Spurs squad including Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, both of whom can and will play in Son\u2019s position on the left side of the pitch. Meanwhile, Son will likely move to a smaller, slower league where his talents will undoubtedly pop. Signing for LA would also give Spurs fans in the United States an opportunity to watch him play in person when LAFC comes to a city nearby.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a day fans have known would come for a long time, but no one wanted to contemplate. Son is hugely popular, not just with Korean fans but with all segments of the North London faithful. During his decade at Spurs he has gone from a promising young talent signed from Bayer Leverkusen into one of, if not the, best ever Korean player and the captain who finally delivered silverware to Tottenham. <\/p>\n

He\u2019s my all-time favorite Tottenham player, and it\u2019s not an especially close thing. I will miss his infectious smile, his play, his delightful demeanor. And if anyone deserves to have a statue in front of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it\u2019s Son Heung-Min.<\/p>\n