Son Heung-min targeting ‘fresh challenge' as he announces Tottenham departure
It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a 'fresh challenge' during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday.
After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son – following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club – confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC leading the race for his signature, the PA news agency understands.
Heung-Min Son has announced his intention to leave the Club at a press conference alongside Thomas Frank in Seoul.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 2, 2025
Son told a press conference: 'Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer.
'Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.
'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision.
He continued: 'I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time.
'I came to north London as a kid, 23-years-old, such a young age. I leave the club as a grown man, a very proud man.
'I want to say thanks to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love. I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision. I hope everyone can accept and respect that.'
New Tottenham head coach Frank confirmed Son would start and be captain in Sunday's friendly with Newcastle at Seoul's World Cup Stadium.
It could be Son's final appearance for Spurs, despite the UEFA Super Cup fixture with Paris St Germain in Udine on the horizon on August 13.
Frank said: 'It's very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain. If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending.'
Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and after a tricky debut campaign, he quickly became a fan favourite and subsequently a modern-day Premier League great due to his consistency and personality, clinching the golden boot award in the 2022-23 season, but he is now set to exit after 10 years in north London.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
20 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Daniel Levy says he'll get the credit he deserves when he leaves Tottenham in rare interview
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANIEL LEVY believes he will get the credit he deserves when he leaves Tottenham. The Spurs chairman took over in 2001 and has overseen huge change in North London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Daniel Levy spoke to The Overlap in a rare interview 2 He described the Europa League final win as his greatest night as chairman Credit: PA Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! He led the construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he has transformed the club into one of the most profitable in the Premier League. But his stewardship has also been met with backlash in some sections, with Spurs fans leading Levy Out protests last season. Despite that, Tottenham claimed their first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League in May - which Levy describes as his best night as chairman. He spoke about his tenure at the club in a rare interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap and Levy was asked if he feels he gets enough credit for what he has done at the club. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL LEGEND'S SURGERY Franco Baresi, 65, undergoes surgery as AC Milan release health update Levy responded saying: 'I think it's one of those situations – when I'm not here I'm sure I'll get the credit. 'When you come here and look at this wonderful building [Tottenham Hotspur Stadium], and the fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we're doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold, and something right.' Levy has drawn criticism at times for keeping wages low at Spurs in comparison to the other big six clubs. But he has turned Tottenham into one of the biggest moneymakers in world football, with an income of £520million in 2023/24 alone. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He continued: 'If you look at what we've done, we haven't had somebody pumping hundreds of millions into the club, we've done it all on our own. 'We have been entrepreneurial and have increased our revenues to enable us to compete the best we can today. Son Heung-breaks down in tears as Tottenham legend is given emotional farewell in final match 'We're all in a chain and I accept that there are certain clubs that are bigger than us, but this league is very competitive, and we can still beat a club with bigger revenues.'
Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy issues statement on Man City's 115 charges saga
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy feels that the investigation into Manchester City's financial charges has gone on 'far too long' as the rest of the Premier League continues to wait to find out the verdict Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy believes that the investigation into Manchester City's alleged financial breaches has dragged on for 'far too long'. In February 2023, the Premier League charged City with breaking 115 financial fair play rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2017. More than two years later, a verdict still hasn't been reached. It recently emerged that it may be October before we learn of the outcome which could undermine either the Premier League or City's period of dominance. Their Premier League rivals have largely remained silent since the charges were brought forward but Levy has joined the small list of senior figures to publicly talk about City's case. Since they were charged, Pep Guardiola's side have denied wrongdoing and insist they have a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence' to support their stance. During an interview with Gary Neville for the Overlap, the Spurs chief gave his thoughts. "I think it would be really unfair of me to talk about another club in the Premier League, all I would say is that it's going through a process which I think has gone on for far too long," Levy claimed. "It needs to be brought, for the good of the game, to a conclusion one way or another." He went on to say: "It's unfortunate that we haven't been able to resolve things internally rather than the recourse of the lawyers, who are earning a lot of money out of this." City's battle with the Premier League has rumbled on behind the scenes for 30 months. In February of this year, Guardiola said that he expected an announcement in the coming weeks, although it never came. Speaking last September, the City boss declared: "I am sorry to say I always want to defend my club - especially in these modern days. It's like everyone doesn't expect us to be not just relegated, they want us to disappear off the face of the earth." Guardiola also stated: "I would say we have had many better days than our opponents – and that's why we win a lot. It's not complicated." Do you agree with Daniel Levy? Have your say in the comments section. Star striker Erling Haaland 'believes' that City will be proven innocent, having signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract last season. "I spoke with the bosses, and in the end, I believe them." Haaland told Time Magazine. "It's such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn't really involved in it. So I think the club knows what they're doing. They will sort it out."
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United youngster Ayden Heaven scores comical own goal as Ruben Amorim's side are held by Everton in the USA
Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven scored a bizarre own goal as his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton in the Premier League Summer Series. United were leading 2-1 in the game, which was held in the United States. However, Everton levelled in the 75th minute following a somewhat unusual turn of events. Iliman Ndiaye did well to get past Bruno Fernandes, which led to a confrontation between the Everton player and the United captain. However, play continued, with Everton's Tyler Onyango finding Dwight McNeil. Amad Diallo came across to intercept the ball but it ended up deflecting off his own player in Heaven and went past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. 📹🚨| Everton equalise through an unfortunate Ayden Heaven own goal #MUFC — UtdJoshua (@UtdJoshua03) August 3, 2025 Fernandes had given United the lead in the 19th minute, with Ndiaye equalising for Everton before half time. Although Mason Mount managed to put United back in the ascendancy the game ended level following Heaven's own goal. Despite the draw, United won the Premier League Summer Series after finishing with seven points. West Ham were in second place ahead of Bournemouth and Everton. United have one more friendly to come as they take on Fiorentina at Old Trafford on Saturday. Ruben Amorim's side will get their Premier League season underway on August 17 when they host Arsenal. United will be looking to fare considerably better than last season, when they finished in 15th place. So far this summer United have made three major signings, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon. Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan, while Jonny Evans has retired and Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof departed after the expiry of their contracts. Talented defender Heaven has made six competitive senior appearances for United since joining from Arsenal in February.
