Tottenham Hotspur and new head coach Thomas Frank are in Seoul preparing to play Newcastle at the World Cup Stadium on Sunday, the final stop in Spurs’ preseason tour.
It may be the last time Tottenham fans see Son Heung-Min play in a Spurs shirt.
Spurs’ club captain and the man who lifted Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years and won the first European title since 1984, announced that he has asked to leave the club this summer for a new challenge. According to the Athletic, Son made the decision earlier
in the summer and communicated his decision to Frank. He publicly announced his decision to leave in front of the media in Seoul, where he became emotional.
Son has been linked for weeks now with a move to LAFC in Major League Soccer, and that appears to be his most likely destination. Numerous reports have confirmed that LAFC and Spurs have been negotiating over Son’s transfer for a little while now, with talks continuing. He also has interest from Saudi Arabia, but Son is said to prefer a move to Los Angeles, where there is a sizable Korean and Korean-American population.
Son’s decision comes just months after he helped Spurs win the Europa League over Manchester United in Bilbao, the culmination of a decade of play at Tottenham. He is one of the club’s longest tenured players — only Ben Davies has been at the club longer — and he will leave Spurs as one of its most popular players in the modern era, and a genuine, bonifide club legend.
In comments to the media, Frank confirmed that Son will start the match against Newcastle in his home country.
Thomas Frank confirms Son Heung-min will start and captain Spurs against Newcastle tomorrow in Seoul.
— Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) August 2, 2025
“If it’s going to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to finish his Tottenham career in his home country. It could potentially be a beautiful ending.”
Spurs return to London following the match, and it’s likely his future will be confirmed shortly afterwards. It’s sad for all of us, but it’s hard to think of anyone who deserves to determine his own future more than Sonny.
Son’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the side, but also presents an opportunity for Frank to retool the squad in his own image. There’s still plenty of young attacking talent on this Spurs squad including Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, both of whom can and will play in Son’s position on the left side of the pitch. Meanwhile, Son will likely move to a smaller, slower league where his talents will undoubtedly pop. Signing for LA would also give Spurs fans in the United States an opportunity to watch him play in person when LAFC comes to a city nearby.
It’s a day fans have known would come for a long time, but no one wanted to contemplate. Son is hugely popular, not just with Korean fans but with all segments of the North London faithful. During his decade at Spurs he has gone from a promising young talent signed from Bayer Leverkusen into one of, if not the, best ever Korean player and the captain who finally delivered silverware to Tottenham.
He’s my all-time favorite Tottenham player, and it’s not an especially close thing. I will miss his infectious smile, his play, his delightful demeanor. And if anyone deserves to have a statue in front of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it’s Son Heung-Min.
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