Son Heung-min Confirms Departure From Tottenham After Ten Years Of Service

Add as a preferred source on Google

Son Heung-min has confirmed his departure from Tottenham Hotspur after a decade with the club. The South Korean forward, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22 million, is seeking a fresh challenge. Son will play his last match for Tottenham in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday.

Throughout his time at Tottenham, Son has made 454 appearances across all competitions, scoring 173 goals and providing 96 assists. In the Premier League alone, he has netted 127 times, placing him joint-16th alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for most goals scored in the league.

Since joining Tottenham in the 2015-16 season, Son has been involved in 198 Premier League goals. Only Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane have contributed more during this period. His most successful season came in 2021-22 when he scored 23 goals and shared the Golden Boot with Salah, becoming the first Asian player to win this accolade.

Son expressed gratitude towards the club and its supporters during a press conference. "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," Son stated. "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career."

Son reminisced about his journey at Tottenham, saying he arrived as a young player and leaves as a proud man. "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," he said. He thanked Spurs fans for their unwavering support over the years.

The forward also highlighted his versatility on the field. Of all players who have scored at least 60 Premier League goals, Son is unique for having scored over 36% of his goals with both feet (39% left-footed and 58% right-footed).

A New Chapter Awaits

Son's contributions extend beyond individual accolades; he played a crucial role in Tottenham's Europa League victory against Manchester United in May, captaining them to their first major trophy in 17 years. Reflecting on his time at Spurs, Son said, "To spend 10 years at the club makes me so proud."

Son ranks sixth for most appearances in Tottenham's history, trailing only behind notable figures like Cyril Knowles and Pat Jennings. Speculation suggests he might join Los Angeles FC in MLS as he seeks new challenges.

"I need a new environment to push myself," Son explained regarding his decision to leave. "I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment."