LAFC announced on Wednesday that Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min has officially joined Major League Soccer (MLS).
According to sources speaking to ESPN, the deal is valued at a record-breaking $26 million, surpassing the previous MLS high of $22 million set by Atlanta United FC for forward Emmanuel Lateras last winter.
While Son’s contract with Tottenham was set to run through the summer of 2026, his new contract with LAFC designates him as a designated player, with the option to extend through 2027 and possibly into 2029.
“I am incredibly proud to be joining LAFC, a club with tremendous aspirations in one of the most iconic sports cities globally,” Son stated. “Los Angeles has a rich legacy of champions, and I am here to help craft the next chapter. I look forward to this new challenge in MLS. I’ve come to Los Angeles to give everything to this club, this city, and its fans.”
Son played his last match for Spurs in a friendly against Newcastle in his hometown of South Korea on Sunday, just a day after announcing his departure from the Premier League club after a decade.
Over his incredible decade at Spurs, the 33-year-old scored 173 goals and provided 101 assists in 454 appearances across all competitions.
He formed a formidable partnership with Harry Kane, Spurs’ all-time top scorer, until Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich in 2023.
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In the absence of his longtime teammate, Son emerged as the new face of Spurs and was appointed captain by former coach Ange Postecoglou after Hugo Lloris also left for MLS. Son and Lloris will now reconnect at LAFC.
Son’s final match with Spurs was their victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final held in Bilbao, Spain, in May.
Currently, LAFC sits sixth in the MLS Western Conference, although they have at least two games in hand on teams ahead of them in the standings.
“Sonny is a global icon and one of the most skillful players in football,” remarked John Thorrington, LAFC’s co-president and general manager. “His drive, talent, and character fit perfectly with our values at LAFC. I am thrilled he chose Los Angeles for this next remarkable phase of his career. Sonny is a proven winner and a world-class player, and I’m confident he will enhance our club and energize our community.”
Information from ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle and Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.
Having a player of Son Heung-Min’s caliber join MLS is a game-changer that elevates the league’s profile and attracts more attention from international soccer fans. This move could spark an influx of talent into MLS, setting the stage for the league to become a more competitive and exciting destination for top players worldwide.
