Son Heung-min to Leave Tottenham This Summer After a Decade of Service

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has announced he will leave the club this summer, bringing to an end a remarkable ten-year spell in north London.

The 33-year-old South Korean forward revealed his decision on Saturday during a press conference in Seoul, where Spurs are currently undertaking their pre-season tour.

Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has since made over 450 appearances for the club. Widely regarded as one of the finest players in the Premier League during his tenure, he has scored 173 goals for the club and earned legendary status among fans.

Although Son lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in May—Tottenham’s first European silverware in 41 years—he endured a challenging season by his usual standards, hindered by persistent leg injuries.

"Before we start the press conference, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer," Son told reporters in Seoul.
"Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision."

Son, visibly emotional, did not disclose his next destination, though he has been strongly linked with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

"It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision," he said, seated alongside Spurs’ new head coach Thomas Frank.
"I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change — ten years is a long time. I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age.
I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man."

Speaking in his native Korean, Son explained that winning the Europa League played a significant role in shaping his decision.

"Winning a title in Europe felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could," he said.
"I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again."

New Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who took charge in June following Ange Postecoglou’s departure, paid tribute to the long-serving forward.

"For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player," said the Dane.
"He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect—one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League."

Tottenham are set to face Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul, where Son is expected to receive a hero’s send-off from his home supporters.

The summer transfer window has been relatively quiet for Spurs so far. Their only major signing has been attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United. A £60 million move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White appeared close but ultimately fell through.