Seoul: Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean captain, Son Heung-min, announced on Saturday that he will be leaving the Premier League club after 10 years, describing it as "one of the toughest decisions of my football career." The announcement was made during a press conference in Seoul ahead of Tottenham's preseason match against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Son, who is entering the final year of his contract with Tottenham, has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with links to Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer and interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Despite this, Son refrained from disclosing his next destination or whether he would play another match for Tottenham after Sunday.
"This was not an easy decision, but I have decided to leave the club this summer," Son stated, after taking a moment to collect himself. "I didn't come here to talk about where I am headed. We have some work to do, and we have to focus on tomorrow's match. I will share more details on my future once it's decided."
Son emphasized the importance of preparing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the tournament approaches, the 33-year-old expressed a desire to find an environment conducive to his goals for what could be his final World Cup.
Son joined Tottenham in August 2015, following a successful start to his club career in Germany. He ranks fifth on Tottenham's all-time scoring list with 173 goals in all competitions and was the recipient of the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-2022 season. Furthermore, he remains the only Asian player to have won the Premiership scoring title.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Son noted that leading Spurs to the UEFA Europa League title last season played a role in his decision to leave. "I am proud to have been with the same team for 10 years. We won the Europa League title, and I think I've done everything I set out to accomplish with this team," he said.
Son expressed a need for change, stating, "I just felt like I needed a new environment to push myself, to get more out of myself." He fondly recalled his journey, arriving in London as a 23-year-old and leaving as a "grown man," and hoped for understanding and respect from fans regarding his decision.
Spurs head coach Thomas Frank, who recently took over the club, expressed his admiration for Son, describing him as "a Spurs legend in every aspect." Frank confirmed that Son would lead the team as captain in what could potentially be his final game for Tottenham, in front of fans in his home country.
Son acknowledged his teammates' disappointment at his decision but appreciated their respect for his choice. He admitted that keeping his emotions in check over the past weeks had been challenging, but he aimed to enjoy his time in Korea as much as possible before moving on to new opportunities.