Son Heungmin chose to leave Tottenham Hotspur without regret after delivering the club's first trophy in 17 years.
On August 2, at a press conference for the 2025 Coupang Play Series held at The Forum in IFC, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Son Heungmin announced, "I have decided to leave the team this summer."
Son Heungmin fulfilled a long-held dream by winning a trophy for the club in the UEFA Europa League final in May, ending a 17-year drought. As a result, he leaves Tottenham as an undisputed club legend.
Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heungmin attended the 2025 Coupang Play Series press conference held at IFC The Forum in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd, answering questions. Photo by Yonhap News
Son Heungmin made his professional debut with Hamburg in the German Bundesliga in 2010, moved to Leverkusen, and then joined Tottenham in August 2015.
Over a full 10 years, he played 454 matches, scoring 173 goals and providing 101 assists in total. In the Premier League alone, he played 333 matches, scored 127 goals, and provided 71 assists. His current record places him tied for 16th in all-time Premier League goals and 17th in assists. He has clearly left a significant mark in Premier League history.
Manager Thomas Frank, who attended the press conference with Son Heungmin, praised him, saying, "Son Heungmin is a true Tottenham legend and one of the greatest players in Premier League history."
Son Heungmin was the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, and in the 2021?2022 season, he became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot with 23 goals. In the 16th round of the 2019?2020 season against Burnley, he created a legendary moment by scoring after a 71-meter solo dribble, a goal that remains iconic in Premier League history. For this goal, he received the FIFA Puskas Award that year. Son Heungmin has also won the Premier League Player of the Month award four times. At Tottenham, he ranks sixth in all-time appearances, fifth in all-time goals, and holds the club record for assists.
Having left a distinct legacy both in the league and at his club, Son Heungmin finally ended his personal title drought last season.
On May 22 (local time), Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final held at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain. This was Tottenham's first trophy in 17 years since winning the League Cup in the 2007?2008 season. In the Europa League, it was their third title, coming 41 years after their previous wins in the 1971?1972 and 1983?1984 seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heungmin is celebrating after securing his first championship in 15 years since his professional debut by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on May 22. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Son Heungmin personally experienced his first trophy since joining Tottenham. Alongside Harry Kane, he reached the final of the UEFA Champions League, the highest stage of European club competition, in the 2018?2019 season but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. In the 2020?2021 season, he reached the final of the EFL Carabao Cup but was defeated 1-0 by Manchester City. Finally, in May, by winning the Europa League, Son Heungmin fulfilled the team's long-cherished dream of a trophy and was able to leave the club with a sense of satisfaction.
The most likely next destination for Son Heungmin, who has decided to transfer, is considered to be Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. There is speculation that he will move to the MLS, where the 2026 North and Central America World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to prepare for the tournament. During the off-season, Son Heungmin in particular attracted interest from Los Angeles FC of the MLS.
Regarding his new team, Son Heungmin said, "The World Cup is the most important," adding, "Since it could be my last World Cup, I need an environment where I can give everything I have."
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