Son bids tearful farewell to Spurs in Seoul

Son Heung-min bid an emotional farewell to Tottenham Hotspur in what appears to be his final match for the club, played before his adoring home supporters in Seoul. The South Korean forward is in advanced negotiations with MLS side Los Angeles FC, with a transfer fee of approximately £20 million expected.

An Emotional Farewell in Seoul

The 33-year-old captain received a heartfelt send-off from teammates and opponents alike during the pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. When substituted in the 65th minute, both teams formed a guard of honor as Son handed the armband to Ben Davies. Visibly emotional, the forward fought back tears as he took his place on the bench.

"The reaction was instinctive from my players," said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. "That speaks volumes about him. It's not just the talent he has but the way he has carried himself over the years. He's seen as one of the game's great Premier League players."

Son later admitted: "I didn't think I was going to cry at first. But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I've spent so much time with felt really tough."

Son's Legacy at Tottenham

Since joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £22 million in 2015 - then a record fee for an Asian player in the Premier League - Son has become a club legend. His achievements include:

• 454 appearances with 173 goals (5th highest in club history)
• 127 Premier League goals (joint 16th in competition history)
• Club record 71 Premier League assists
• 2021-22 Golden Boot winner (shared with Mohamed Salah)
• Captained Spurs to Europa League victory in 2023

Statistical Impact

The numbers demonstrate Son's crucial role:

MetricWith Son StartingWithout SonWin Percentage42%7%Goals per Game2.11.0Points per Game1.40.4

New manager Thomas Frank acknowledged the challenge ahead: "Sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today." The match ended 1-1, with Brennan Johnson honoring Son by replicating his signature celebration after scoring.

As Son prepares for his MLS move, he leaves behind an indelible legacy at Tottenham and the Premier League. "My career is not over yet," he assured fans, "and I want to continue to bring joy. I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player."