Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, bringing an end to a remarkable 10-year spell in north London. The 33-year-old made the emotional announcement during a press conference in Seoul, where Spurs are currently on a pre-season tour.
Having joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son quickly became a fan favourite, amassing over 450 appearances and netting 173 goals across all competitions. In May, he captained the club to their first European trophy in 41 years, lifting the UEFA Europa League. However, his final season at Spurs was hampered by persistent leg injuries and a dip in form by his own high standards.
“Before we start the press conference, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer,” Son told reporters. “Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.”
Flanked by new head coach Thomas Frank, Son described the decision as the toughest of his career. “I need a new environment to push myself,” he said. “I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.”
While the South Korean international has not disclosed his next destination, speculation has linked him with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Speaking in his native language, Son explained that winning the Europa League played a major role in his decision, adding that he felt he had “achieved everything” with Spurs.
New Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who joined from Brentford in June, expressed his admiration for Son: “He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. I would have loved to have worked with him.”
Tottenham will face Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday, where Son is expected to receive a hero’s send-off from the home crowd.
In transfer news, Spurs have had a relatively quiet summer, with West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus the club’s only major signing to date. A proposed £60 million move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White recently fell through.
