Major League Soccer (MLS) has welcomed another international soccer superstar as South Korean forward Son Heung-min officially signed a permanent transfer with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) on Wednesday. His arrival marks a significant moment for the league and for LAFC’s passionate fanbase.
Son’s Grand Welcome and Aspirations in LA
Son Heung-min was greeted by enthusiastic chants from LAFC supporters during his unveiling at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. At his introductory news conference, Son, while initially admitting Los Angeles wasn’t his first choice, expressed his happiness with the decision and his clear ambition: “I’m here to win and I will perform. I will definitely show you something exciting.” He emphasized his commitment to bringing “exciting football” and achieving success with the club.
The South Korean star also acknowledged the large Korean community in Los Angeles, stating his pride in joining a club and city with so many Koreans. He expressed his desire to “make them proud with my performance and do the best I can to represent the Koreans and Koreatown here in LA.” Son’s excitement was palpable, noting the “insane” support he witnessed from Korean fans during LAFC’s recent Leagues Cup win. He will be reunited with former Tottenham teammate and LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
A Decade at Tottenham and Record-Breaking Transfer
The 33-year-old forward concludes a remarkable decade with Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, having played his last game for Spurs during their preseason tour in Korea on Sunday. During his tenure with the North London club, Son amassed an impressive 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 matches. He notably became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season, sharing the honor with Mohamed Salah with 23 goals each. Son also led Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years, securing the Europa League title in May against Manchester United.
Son’s move to LAFC reportedly set a new MLS transfer fee record at approximately $26 million. He is signed through 2027, with options for an additional two years, indicating a long-term commitment to the MLS. For his national team, Son, as captain, has scored 51 goals in 134 matches and has appeared in three World Cups and four AFC Asian Cups, solidifying his status as South Korea’s most high-profile athlete. He also led South Korea to a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. Son’s arrival coincides with another major MLS signing, as Thomas Müller also joined the Vancouver Whitecaps on the same day.
