Son Heung-min confirms bombshell Tottenham exit decision with emotional statement
He said: "Thank you for having us again here in Korea for the second year in a row. Everybody really appreciates it. It's just incredible. Yesterday at the airport we felt the welcome. Everybody loved this and can't wait to play tomorrow.
"Before we start, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer. Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start."
On what has led him to exiting the North London side, he added: "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. I have spent 10 years at Tottenham. The main reason is 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."
Son will now leave the club following a successful decade with Spurs. He was signed from German side Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has gone on to score 173 goals in over 450 appearances.
The forward also led Spurs to the Europa League title last season. But he has claimed that an exit has been on his mind for some time having opened up on emotional talks with his teammates.
"I spoke with only a few guys, ones I've spent a long time with," Son said. "Obviously they're disappointed, as a friendship or as a team-mate you'd be very disappointed if someone decided to leave, but in a respectful way. Obviously I'm very close with Ben [Davies] so we've spoken about the future a lot of times.
"Obviously he fully respects my decision. So does everyone. What can I say? It's very, very hard to tell my team-mates because I sometimes probably spend more time with them than my family because we're travelling together, spending time together every single day at the training ground, five or six hours every day.
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"I think we know each other so well. Everybody was disappointed but also in a way very happy for me. That was my feeling but I don't what they were actually feeling! They seemed happy but disappointed when I told them my decision."
Son added: "It's been a while since I decided to leave the club. It was not easy days or weeks for me. I always try to be happy and I'm happiest when I'm playing football, but, it's not easy to leave the club where I spent 10 years light-hearted.
"I tried to not give any negative impact on other players, didn't want to make any sort of noise, but it was inevitable, that people noticed my feelings. My fans even know my habits, so they could notice about it, but I'll try to have good time for the two days while I'm in here."
Son, 33, has one year remaining on his contract and has been linked with a host of sides including MLS outfit LAFC. He remained quiet over where his future lied but confirmed that he would be keen to sign for a new club that would bolster his chances of appearing at next summer's World Cup.
He concluded: "For now it's to focus on tomorrow's match. I would not give many comments on the next team. Obviously I would like to focus on tomorrow's match and the future and the next team will be decided afterwards. In choosing the next team, the World Cup will definitely be one of the key points that I will consider. It might be my last World Cup so I need my new environment to give all that I've got for my football career. As well as the World Cup, I will also need to find a team that will make me happy while playing football."
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