South Korean football star Son Heung-min waves at fans at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before departing for Los Angeles on Aug. 5, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean football icon Son Heung-min departed for Los Angeles on Tuesday, apparently to finalize his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Son boarded an LA-bound flight out of Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, Tuesday evening, but not before signing autographs for hundreds of fans who had gathered to send off the superstar.
Multiple reports have claimed this week Son has agreed to join LAFC, with only the signing and official announcement remaining.
Earlier Tuesday, ESPN reported that the South Korea national team captain is expected to be unveiled as a new member of LAFC as early as Wednesday.
The reported transfer fee is approximately US$26 million, according to ESPN. The BBC also cited a fee of about 20 million pounds, adding, “The final details of the transfer remain in discussion, but his move to LAFC is now considered subject just to the completion of paperwork and a medical.”
Son confirmed his departure from Tottenham on Saturday during a press conference in Seoul, calling it “one of the toughest decisions of my football career.” He officially announced that he had “decided to leave the club this summer.”
He bid farewell to fans in his home country the following day during Tottenham’s preseason match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium, concluding a 10-year tenure with the Premier League club.
Son is fifth on the all-time scoring list for Tottenham with 173 goals in all competitions. He captained Spurs to the UEFA Europa League title in May, the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
Although he did not name his next destination at the initial press conference, speculation immediately linked him to LAFC.
During Saturday’s presser, held amid rumors linking him to LAFC, Son hinted at a move to the United States, saying he wanted to find a situation that could help him prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
(Yonhap)
