LONDON — Son Heung-min has officially ended his 10-year journey with Tottenham Hotspur, closing a chapter marked by record-breaking goals, global admiration, and a long-awaited European trophy. The 33-year-old South Korean forward leaves North London with 173 goals in 454 appearances. His departure comes just three months after helping Spurs defeat Manchester United in the Europa League final, securing the club’s first major trophy since 2008 and their first European silverware since 1984.
“This has been my home for a decade,” Son said during a farewell message shared by the club. “Winning a trophy with this team meant everything.”
Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a reported £22.5 million, making him the most expensive Asian footballer in Premier League history at the time. His early days in London were difficult he asked to leave within his first season but ultimately chose to stay and fight for his place.
That decision reshaped his career. Son became known for his explosive pace, tireless work rate, and moments of brilliance most memorably, a 2019 solo goal against Burnley that earned him the FIFA Puskás Award.
He shared the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season with Mohamed Salah after scoring 23 goals. Across his career at Spurs, he won four Premier League Player of the Month awards and was named the club’s Player of the Year three times.
“Sonny gave everything for this club,” said former Spurs midfielder Micky Hazard. “He became more than just a footballer here he became part of Tottenham’s soul.”
Beyond his footballing feats, Son was known for his humility and generosity. During a 2022 pre-season tour in South Korea, he treated the entire Tottenham traveling group to a Korean barbecue and handed out personalized gifts. After a 2021 League Cup win against West Ham, he gave his match shirt to a young fan escorted off the pitch.
Kevin Wimmer, a former teammate, described Son’s popularity in South Korea as “like being with a rock star.”
“In Seoul, fans screamed like it was a Coldplay concert when he showed up,” Wimmer said.
Son’s impact back home is enormous. His face adorns billboards across the country. Television channels broadcast compilations of his goals. In his hometown of Chuncheon, a mural honors his achievements, and his football academy trains aspiring youth.
He also made headlines in 2020 for completing South Korea’s mandatory military service, where he finished among the top five out of 157 recruits.
Following his final Premier League match, Son received a personal sendoff. Club legends including Ossie Ardiles and Pat Jennings stood on the pitch as the team honored outgoing manager Ange Postecoglou. Son approached each one, shook hands, and said, “Now I’m a legend,” according to Hazard.
His final season saw him score 7 goals and register 9 assists in 30 league appearances. Though an injury limited his role in the Europa League final, his influence in getting the team there was clear.
With Harry Kane gone since 2023, Son had stepped up as Tottenham’s captain and talisman. He scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in the 2023-24 campaign, guiding Spurs to a fifth-place finish.
Spurs now lose not only a key figure on the pitch but also a major commercial driver. Research from club sponsor AIA estimated that 12 million South Koreans nearly one in four supported Tottenham because of Son. On matchdays, his jersey outsold every other player’s, with up to 700 shirts moved per game.
Son is now in advanced talks with Los Angeles FC, where he is expected to continue his career in Major League Soccer. He has stated publicly that he does not plan to remain in football after retirement, hoping instead to play as long as possible.
“Son is a pride of the whole nation,” said South Korean football analyst Sungmo Lee. “He broke barriers and inspired a generation. His legacy is far bigger than goals.”
Whether in London or Seoul, Son Heung-min’s name remains etched in hearts and history. From a hesitant newcomer in 2015 to a legend in 2025, his decade at Tottenham will be remembered as one of the most captivating chapters in the club’s modern era.
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