Los Angeles FC has secured the landmark signing of South Korean superstar Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur for a Major League Soccer record transfer fee of approximately $26.5 million (£20 million).
According to sources briefed on the agreement, Son is expected to be officially introduced by the club in the coming days. The deal surpasses the previous MLS record of $22 million, which Atlanta United paid for forward Emmanuel Latte Lath earlier this year.
The move makes the 33-year-old winger one of the highest-profile players in the league, second only to Lionel Messi. Son brings immense on-field talent to a perennial championship contender and is expected to have a significant commercial impact. His arrival in Los Angeles is particularly notable, as the city is home to the largest Korean population in the United States.
The transfer follows Son’s announcement last week that he would be departing Tottenham after a decorated 10-year tenure. Capped by a UEFA Europa League title last spring, his time in North London established him as one of the club’s most celebrated players.
“It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,” Son said ahead of his final match for Spurs. “I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is that I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge. I’m grateful the club have respected my decision and wish Spurs well for the next season.
“I came to north London as a kid — 23 years old, a very young age, a boy who couldn’t speak English. I leave this club as a man. Thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home.”
Son leaves Tottenham as the club’s fifth-highest all-time scorer with 173 goals across all competitions. He also holds the record for most Premier League appearances for Spurs with 333, during which he scored 127 goals and provided 71 assists—making him one of only seven players to rank in the top 20 for both categories, alongside legends like Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry.
His teammate James Maddison captured the sentiment around his departure, stating, “Sonny is Tottenham. And Tottenham is Sonny. It’s weird to think about Tottenham Hotspur without Son.”
Son’s arrival is part of a broader trend of high-profile international stars joining MLS, a movement largely catalyzed by Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami. This summer transfer window alone has seen German legend Thomas Müller agree to join the Vancouver Whitecaps and Argentine World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul sign with Miami.
This influx of marquee talent aligns with the league’s “MLS 3.0” strategy, an initiative aimed at generating global buzz and raising its competitive standard ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. By integrating superstars like Son with its established strategy of acquiring promising young international talent and players in their prime, MLS aims to accelerate its evolution. For LAFC, a club already known for its strong roster construction, the signing of Son Heung-min represents a significant step forward in this new era.
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