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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Why Son Heung-min is an even bigger Tottenham legend than Harry Kane as South Korean bids emotional farewell after decade in north London
In the same summer that Harry Kane was walking around a golf course with Gary Neville, telling the world he wanted to leave Tottenham, Son Heung-min was quietly telling the club he would commit to them his peak years. What followed, on the back of a new five-year contract, was the South Korean's best season in a white shirt. His reward for 24 goals was a Premier League Golden Boot. That is why his impending exit will be mourned far more than the departure of Kane two years ago. Kane, like Son, is an infinitely likeable character, but when a player agitates for a move, bridges can sway, if not burn. Son's bond with Tottenham's fanbase has always been watertight. Indeed, the only liquid spilt has been the tears that have flowed in the 24 hours since news broke that he is set to play his final game for the club this weekend, here in his native South Korea. And it was Son himself who opened the emotional floodgates when he sat down in Seoul to confirm his wish to go, with Los Angeles FC the destination. We are used to seeing the forward stop, wait and go again, usually with a posse of helpless defenders in his wake. We will never forget his 80-yard dash and dribble to score against Burnley in 2019. This time, there was no such control. On more than one occasion he had to stop and gather his composure, so overcome was he by the message he was relaying. 'Before we start,' he said. '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.' He called it the start, but the only subject entertained in the business-room forum of the skyscraper that doubled as a media suite was, naturally, the end. The end of a decade in north London — 454 games and 173 goals. And, belatedly, a first trophy in May. That Son only arrived in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United as a second-half substitute speaks to part of the reason for his decision to move on — he knows the time is right. So, too, do supporters, the club and new boss Thomas Frank. At 33, there is no shame in that. He has given them his best years, as he promised. But when he stops now, he doesn't get going as quickly as he once did. What has not slowed, and what will never diminish, is the affection felt for him by the fans. Kane, Paul Gascoigne, Teddy Sheringham, David Ginola, each of them might feel somewhat unloved compared to theadoration for Son. The hardest part of his decision had nothing to do with football or finance, really, but in leaving the place and the people he has come to call home. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,' he eventually went on. 'I have been here for 10 years. It's a beautiful club with beautiful fans. I have such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision. I just felt I needed a new environment to push myself, to get more out of me. I think I needed a little bit of change. Ten years is a long time. 'I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, a very young age. A boy who couldn't speak English. I leave as a grown man. So thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home. 'But I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that.' Son also revealed that his decision came long before this tour of the Far East, which will culminate against Newcastle in front of a sell-out 66,000 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday. 'It's been quite a while since I decided to leave the club,' he said. 'The recent days and weeks have been difficult for me. Son previously enjoyed amazing on-field chemistry with record Spurs goalscorer Harry Kane Kane scored more goals for Spurs than Son but the South Korean is perhaps a bigger club icon 'Although I shared it with close friends, it was difficult to stay private on the outside because I'm still the same person, so it shows what's on the inside. Even in such situations, I did my best to not harm the club or my team-mates.' Son, say those close to the club, was clearly more subdued in Hong Kong last week. And, with such an affable guy, that probably is noticeable. For what we will miss most about him is as much theperson as it is the player. He has been a credit to himself, Tottenham and, by extension, English football. You can be certain that those Newcastle fans at the game will applaud his contribution with genuine respect. A few hours after Son left the business forum, pursued by what felt like the entire South Korean press pack, Eddie Howe spoke glowingly of him. 'I think he is one of the legends of the Premier League,' said the Newcastle boss. 'I've never spent time with him, but he seems like an incredible professional and an incredible person. It will be a great moment to share his last game for Tottenham.' Newcastle will no doubt be grateful for the spotlight to be on Son, so pained has their pre-season been. But gratitude is what we all should feel. Son calls it a pleasure to have spent a decade in the Premier League. The pleasure was all ours.
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
'Always loved them': Rangers complete 'thrilling' Mikey Moore loan deal as Spurs make statement
Martin delighted to get his man as highly-rated youngster signs up for Ibrox revolution Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers have completed the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur's teenage forward Mikey Moore for the 2025/26 season. Moore, 17, is regarded as one of English football's most exciting prospects after making the breakthrough at senior level with Spurs last season under Ange Postecoglou. He made 19 first-team appearances for the north London side, but new head coach Thomas Frank believes a loan move will best suit his development and Rangers have won the race for his signature. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Moore is capable of playing all across the front line, but is expected to be used predominantly as a winger by Rangers head coach Russell Martin. The Ibrox club have been keen to reinforce in that area following the departure of Vaclav Cerny, a key wide man from last season. New Rangers loanee Mikey Moore celebrates scoring for Spurs against Elfsborg - his first senior goal. | Getty Images Rangers have been linked with Go Ahead Eagles winger Oliver Antman and Crystal Palace's Jerusun Rak-Sakyi in recent weeks. Moore becomes Rangers' eighth summer signing, following Max Aarons, Emmanuel Fernandez, Nasser Djiga, Joe Rothwell, Lyall Cameron, Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama through the Ibrox door. Moore revealed that as soon as he heard of Rangers' interest, he wanted to join the club. 'I'm excited to get going,' he told the Rangers website. 'As soon as I heard Rangers were interested and wanted me to come, it was a massive opportunity for me. I'm excited to be here and hopefully I can show the fans and everyone what I can do. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Moore: I have always loved Rangers 'I've always loved Rangers as a club. My family have always loved them. I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it's a great place to be at the minute. It was a pretty easy decision for me to come here.' Speaking on the loan deal for Moore, Martin said: 'We are thrilled to bring Mikey on loan for this season. His profile as a brave, aggressive attacking player is one that we were keen to add to the squad, and he is certainly a player who, despite his age, can make an impact on the team from day one. 'He is a player with huge potential, and it is testament to his quality that he has been entrusted by Spurs in both the Premier League and UEFA Europa League with such regularity over the last 18 months.' Mikey Moore rubbed shoulders with Spurs first-teamers such as James Maddison last season. | Getty Images Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: 'It is no secret that there was significant interest from elsewhere in Mikey and we are delighted that he has chosen Rangers at this stage in his career. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He rose to prominence with Spurs last year and it is a reflection of his temperament and quality as a player that he made an immediate impact at a senior level which demands the best. 'We are convinced that Mikey is a player who will enhance our attacking unit. He is stepping into an ambitious, demanding environment that will test him, support him, and provide the platform to deliver and fulfil his potential, to the benefit of both himself and the club.' What Spurs had to say on the move A statement on the Tottenham website read: 'Mikey Moore has joined Rangers on loan for the 2025/26 campaign. 'Having joined us as a seven-year-old, the forward progressed through our ranks to help our Under-17 and Under-18 teams secure the Premier League Cup double in 2022/23. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In May, 2024, he earned his competitive first team debut against Manchester City, becoming the youngest ever player to appear for us in a Premier League fixture. The 17-year-old has made 21 senior appearances in all competitions to date, scoring once. 'Mikey registered his first senior goal for the Club in a UEFA Europa League fixture against Elfsborg in January – we memorably went onto win the competition in May, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao. At international level, Mikey has appeared for England up to Under-19 level to date.'
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
Mikey Moore Rangers transfer situation addressed as Russell Martin spells out Panathinaikos plan
Rangers head coach answers questions on links to Spurs teenager Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Russell Martin indicated he would be keen to add Mikey Moore to his squad amid speculation Rangers are poised to sign the Tottenham teenager. The 17-year-old has made 21 appearances for Spurs but their new manager Thomas Frank explained on Tuesday he would like to 'find the right option' for the attacker to get the necessary game time to accelerate his development. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When asked about Moore at his pre-match media briefing on the eve of Wednesday's Champions League qualifier with Panathinaikos in Athens, Gers boss Martin said little to dispel suggestions he is set to move to Ibrox. Rangers head coach Russell Martin during a training session on Tuesday ahead of the trip to Greece. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'I think I've said to you all the way along that as soon as it's done you'll be the first guys to know,' Martin said on Tuesday. 'There's lots of players we like, lots that we're linked to. He's a really good player and if at any point he becomes a Rangers player we will let you know.' Martin has made no effort to downplay the level of transfer activity he expects in his first transfer window in charge as he bids to get his squad to the level he wants. 'I think we still have a few areas we need to strengthen and put a bit more depth in for sure,' said the former Scotland international. 'I think some areas are more obvious than others but I think we're still looking to add to the squad. I keep saying that we will add to the squad but it has to be the right ones and definitely in the right areas.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Martin's plan of attack in Athens The Rangers squad arrived in Athens on Tuesday without summer signing Thelo Aasgaard and striker Hamza Igamane, who have missed out through injury. Gers are aiming to protect a 2-0 advantage in the Olympic Stadium, and Martin has told his players they must be even better in the Greek capital than they were in the home leg. From left: Mohamed Diomande, Nicolas Raskin, Cyriel Dessers and James Tavernier arrive for a Rangers training session on Tuesday. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'For me, it's the same situation we found ourselves in before the first game,' said. 'It's a tough game against a good opponent that we have to be really ready for and I think we'll be better than we were last week, we have to be. 'I think at this football club you have to try and win every single game. I think that has to be the mentality of our team. I don't believe in going into something and trying to avoid something. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We try and work towards something rather than work away from it. We'll work hard to try and win the game and we have to be very, very good to do that. I'm looking forward to it.' Athens has been basking in temperatures in the mid-30s this week and it is forecast to be almost 30C come kick-off time, but Martin is unfazed by such a prospect. 'I think we had an extremely hot week in St George's (at their pre-season base in England) where the guys had to work really, really hard and cover a lot of distance,' he said. 'I think that will help prepare us, but it's the same for both teams. We have to manage the game in the best way possible, in our way, for us, and I think the players are ready for that.
