Hyun Min, the son of the former Tottenham Hotspur captain, arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday, planning to remain there for an extended period.
At both Los Angeles International Airport and during the LAFC game on Tuesday, he received a warm reception. He is anticipated to join the MLS club, transferring for a league-record fee of $26.5 million. The crowd at BMO Stadium erupted when his image appeared on the big screen.
About 40 fans gathered at LAX to see him, celebrating his decade-long tenure at Tottenham and honoring his father, often regarded as the greatest Asian football player. With his status as a national hero in Korea, he seems like a perfect fit for the LA team, especially given that Los Angeles has the largest Korean community outside Korea.
Additionally, the bustling Koreatown district is located just a short distance from BMO Stadium.
His son’s signing marks the most significant event for LAFC since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami two years ago; however, the Vancouver Whitecaps also made headlines last week by signing Bayern Munich icon Thomas Muller.
Son Heung-Min found a natural landing spot at LAFC. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
(Patrick T. Fallon via Getty Images)
His son believes that he will bring fresh attention to the club and enhance their scoring capabilities, as they currently sit sixth in the MLS Western Conference with a record of 10-6-6. LAFC previously sought a similar high-profile signing last year with Olivier Giroud, but that move was disappointing. He feels well-suited to LAFC’s style, although changes may come as head coach Steve Cerundro implements his vision.
In my view, this news is significant for soccer fans as it not only brings excitement to the MLS with star power but also highlights the growing influence of Asian players in global football. Hyun Min’s signing could potentially elevate the league’s profile, attracting more fans and talent in the future.
