After a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, South Korean football sensation Son Heungmin has joined Los Angeles FC (LAFC), closing a widely reported transfer to Major League Soccer.Officially presented Wednesday, the 33-year-old forward three days after confirming his Tottenham departure.
On Tuesday, Son watched LAFC’s Leagues Cup match versus Tigres, where he was met by huge fans.LAFC allegedly spent more than $20 million in transfer charges, maybe breaking an MLS record.
“Sonny is a global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football,”said LAFC co-president John Thorrington, expressing confidence that Son will elevate the club on and off the pitch.
With 173 goals in 454 outings, including helping Tottenham win the Europa League in May—their first European trophy in decades—Son leaves Spurs as a club icon. Last week he was given a guard of honor in a farewell game in Seoul.
The move places Son to be a prominent presence ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He has previously stated he will lead South Korea into his fourth World Cup.
Offering Son a special platform both culturally and financially, Los Angeles has the largest Korean population outside Korea. LAFC hopes to match the off-field influence of Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, another Pacific Rim sports legend.
With games in hand owing to Club World Cup obligations, LAFC is presently in sixth place in the Western Conference. Son enters a roster including French winger Denis Bouanga and former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris. Unlike former striker Olivier Giroud, who departed after a bad stint, his speed and adaptability make him a great fit for LAFC’s counterattacking strategy.
Though his seven Premier League goals last season were his lowest since coming to England, Son is still a powerful danger and is still younger than many recent MLS imports, including Lionel Messi (35) and Luis Suárez (37).
Soon the club’s coaching dynamic will change as head coach Steve Cherundolo is scheduled to travel to Germany after four victorious seasons that included an MLS Cup victory.
