BREAKING: Tottenham star announces desire to leave the club in huge US switch

Tottenham captain Heung-min Son has announced his desire to leave the English Premier League club in a press conference ahead of Spurs’ pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in his home country of South Korea.

The 33-year-old is set to join MLS side Los Angeles FC after a decade in north London that culminated with lifting the Europa League trophy after Tottenham defeated Manchester United in the final in Bilbao, Spain in May.

Son was awarded the captaincy by previous manager Ange Postecoglou two years ago following the departure of his good friend and one time strike partner Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

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But with his goal of winning silverware with Spurs complete, Son told new boss Thomas Frank of his desire to depart the club.

“I just want to share information that I have decided to leave this club this summer. Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision,” Son during his press conference.

“It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. The main reason is I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge.

“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. Thanks to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love.”

BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur lifts the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Son added: “I spoke with only a few guys, ones I’ve spent a long time with. They’re disappointed but in a respectful way.

“Obviously I’m very close to Ben (Davies) and we’ve spoken a few times about the future. Obviously they respect my decision.

“It’s very hard to tell my teammates because I probably spend more time with them than my family because we’re together five or six hours every day. They were disappointed but also happy for me.”

He continued: “It’s been quite a while since I made my decision to leave the club. Recent days have been difficult.

“It was difficult to stay bright on the outside but I did my best not to harm the club or his teammates.”

The second game of Tottenham’s Asian tour will kick off in Seoul on Sunday after Pape Matar Sarr’s screamer from near the halfway line handed them a 1-0 victory in Hong Kong against fierce rivals Arsenal in the first north London derby played outside of the United Kingdom.

Son came off the bench to play 15 minutes against Arsenal on Thursday with Cristian Romero handing over the captain’s armband despite some reluctance from the Korean.

That gesture meant he got to lift another trophy, although the pre-season Herbalgy Trophy does not hold the same significance as the Europa League trophy.

Former Brentford boss Frank dismissed any concerns that Son will not be sighted on Sunday given the announcement.

The Danish manager made it clear to fans that their hero will walk out wearing the captain’s armband against Newcastle in front of a sell-out crowd at the 66,000 seat Seoul World Cup Stadium for what might by his final appearance in a Spurs shirt.

“It’s very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain,” Frank said.

“If it is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans.

“It could be a beautiful ending.”

Son is set to join former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris in Los Angeles, in what is a big coup for the MLS as the city contains the largest Korean population in the United States.

He had attracted strong interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but is set to forgo those offers in favour of joining Lionel Messi in adding star power to the American league.

Son will depart Spurs having scored 173 goals and registering 101 assists in 454 appearances, and during his time in England, he became the first Asian player to score 100 goals in the Premier League.

He will no doubt go down as a club legend, which he reluctantly said so himself when asked about his standing in Tottenham history after lifting the Europa League trophy.

“Let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today! 17 years nobody has done it, so today let’s say with amazing players probably a legend of the club,” he said after the final.

“This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world.”

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