Tottenham Hotspur captain, Son Heung-min, has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, bringing an end to a memorable decade-long stay in North London.
Speaking to reporters in Seoul on Saturday, where Spurs are currently on a pre-season tour, the 33-year-old forward emotionally announced his decision, saying, “I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision.”
Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has since made over 450 appearances, scoring 173 goals.
While he helped Spurs lift the UEFA Europa League title in May, their first European silverware in 41 years, he endured a challenging personal season, struggling with persistent leg injuries.
“This was the most difficult decision of my career,” said the South Korean international. “Ten years is a long time. I came to North London at 23, a kid, and I leave as a grown man and a very proud man.”
Although Son didn’t reveal his next destination, reports suggest a possible move to Major League Soccer in the United States.
The forward stated that winning a European title influenced his decision. “It felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could. I’ve thought deeply about experiencing football in a different environment.”
New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in June, paid tribute to the outgoing skipper: “He is a true Spurs legend and one of the Premier League’s greatest players. I would have loved to work with him.”
Son is expected to receive a hero’s reception when Spurs face Newcastle United in a friendly in Seoul on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s summer business has been relatively quiet, with West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus their only major signing.
A proposed £60 million move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly collapsed earlier this week.