The era of Heung-min Son at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end. After leading the squad to a Europa League title last season as club captain, Son has confirmed his departure. Having joined from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, Son completed 10 seasons with Tottenham, culminating in this European triumph. During his tenure, he amassed an impressive 127 goals and 71 assists in Premier League play, forming one of the most formidable attacking duos in league history alongside Harry Kane.
As Tottenham moves into its next chapter under Thomas Frank, the South Korean star will not be a part of it, with his next destination likely being Los Angeles FC. LAFC, a club that has experience with Tottenham legends after winning the MLS Cup with Gareth Bale, is reportedly considering a $20 million deal for Son, according to Tom Bogert. Securing Son alongside Denis Bouanga would be a significant coup for the team as they pursue the Western Conference crown.
“I want to announce that I have decided to leave this club this summer. The club has respectfully accepted my decision and is assisting me. This was the most difficult decision of my career,” Son stated at a press conference in Seoul. “The main reason is that I have achieved everything I could at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I came to North London as a boy who couldn`t speak English. I leave this club as a man. Thank you to all Spurs fans who have given me so much love. I spoke with only a few guys I`ve spent a long time with. They are disappointed but in a respectful way.”
A lot has happened over these ten seasons, so let`s look back at some of Son`s best moments in a Tottenham shirt:
5. Son`s 100th Premier League Goal
Son has scored many special goals in a Spurs shirt, always marking the biggest moments with flair. His 100th Premier League goal was no different. The curling shot from outside the box left Brighton with no chance. In 2023, he became the first Asian player to reach this milestone in the league, achieving it in just 260 Premier League appearances.
4. Smashing Southampton
This moment rightfully holds its place in the ranking. In 2020, Son needed just 30 minutes to score four goals against Southampton at St Mary`s Stadium. The partnership between Kane and Son truly shone that day, as all four goals were assisted by Kane. Following the match, Son immediately praised Kane for his assists:
“I wouldn`t have scored four goals without this guy. He`s amazing. Four assists, he deserved man of the match today,” Son said.
Messages like this are part of why Son went on to captain the team.
3. Coast to Coast for the Puskas
A “coast to coast” dribble is common in basketball but not in soccer. However, that didn`t stop Son from doing it. Picking up the ball in his own penalty area, Son proceeded to dribble through the entire Burnley team before putting the ball into the back of the net. This goal also shows how blurry the definition of an assist can be, as Jan Vertonghen received one for the play. This particular goal earned Son a Puskas award and became one of his most iconic in a Spurs shirt.
2. Best Friends Off the Pitch, Lethal Together On It
Returning to Kane, his relationship with Son was truly special during their time playing together. Setting a Premier League record for combined goal contributions with 47, they formed an incredibly lethal attacking duo. They always knew where each other was and possessed enough passing skill to deliver the ball where it needed to be for a goal. Their lead of 11 goals over the next best duo, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (36 goals), suggests this record could stand for quite some time. Their journey together included an incredible run to the Champions League final in 2019.
1. Europa League Glory
Lifting the Europa League trophy must certainly be Son`s greatest accomplishment with the club. It may have occurred during an unusual season when Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, but as we move further away from that season, the image of Son as club captain raising a European trophy in his tenth season remains vivid. It`s a perfect culmination of what he contributed to Tottenham, as he leaves the club in a better position than it was when he joined.
