Son Heungmin Poised for Record Transfer Fee, LAFC Contract Announcement Expected on the 6th

BBC: "Transfer to LA for 36.8 Billion Won"
"Possible Highest Transfer Fee in MLS History"
ESPN: "LAFC Contract Announcement Could Come as Early as the 6th"

According to foreign media reports, Son Heungmin (33), who has ended his 10-year association with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League (EPL), may officially announce his contract with Los Angeles (LA) FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States as early as the 6th local time (7th Korea time).

On July 13, 2022, at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul, during the first match of the Coupang Play Series, a friendly game between Team K League and England Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham's Son Heungmin is celebrating after scoring a goal. Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the 5th, Yonhap News Agency, citing sports media outlet ESPN, reported, "Son Heungmin is on the verge of signing with MLS in the United States. The official announcement is expected as early as Wednesday (6th local time)."

Previously, on the 2nd, Son Heungmin directly announced his departure from Tottenham at a press conference. On the 3rd, he played his farewell match at the Seoul World Cup Stadium against Newcastle United in the 2025 Coupang Play Series Game 2. Son Heungmin took off his Tottenham jersey after receiving encouragement from both his Tottenham teammates and Newcastle players.

Son Heungmin said, "This could be my last World Cup, so I believe I need an environment where I can give everything I have. That was a big factor," hinting at MLS in the United States as his next destination.

On July 13, 2022, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul, during the first match of the Coupang Play Series, a friendly game between Team K League and England Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham's Son Heungmin is celebrating with a "Chalk" gesture after scoring a goal. Photo by Asia Economy DB

The British public broadcaster BBC reported, "Son Heungmin, who announced his departure from Tottenham, is set to sign with LAFC for a transfer fee of about 20 million pounds (approximately 36.8 billion won)." The BBC added, "Only additional administrative paperwork and a medical test remain before Son Heungmin's transfer to LAFC is finalized," indicating that the transfer is imminent.

ESPN also reported, "Multiple sources have confirmed that Son Heungmin will join LAFC for a transfer fee of about 26 million dollars (36 billion won)," and added, "Son Heungmin has approved a deal that could set the record for the highest transfer fee in MLS history."

Currently, the highest transfer fee in MLS history is 22.5 million pounds, which Atlanta United paid in February to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough (English second division). Although it is not yet certain, there is speculation that Son Heungmin's transfer fee could surpass this record.

Meanwhile, after completing the Coupang Play Series, Tottenham players departed for England on the 4th. Son Heungmin remained in Korea to see off the squad and is reportedly scheduled to depart for the United States on the afternoon of the 5th.