TEARFUL Son Heung-min claimed his Spurs exit came at the perfect time after completing his MLS-record transfer to LAFC.
The Tottenham skipper, 33, last night joined the Los Angeles outfit in a deal worth more than £20million.
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
It closed the door on a decade of service in North London for the South Korean icon, which was capped by his lifting of the Europa League trophy in May.
Addressing Spurs fans in a weepy address on the club’s website, Son said: “It was probably one of the hardest decisions I ever made so please don’t be disappointed, I will be disappointed not seeing you on the pitch.
“I will always be in your history books and Spurs will always be in my heart, my family and as a kid you welcomed me and as a grown-up I’m leaving you, but there’s always good timing.
“I always wanted to leave in a perfect way where people can think about me in happy and proud moments and this is the right time to say goodbye.
“I love you all, thank you for amazing support for the ten years. Ten years is a lot. A lot of goals and a lot of good memories.
“Now we are all crying but next time when we see each other I hope everyone is smiling.”
Son scored 173 goals – including 127 in the Premier League – and registered 101 assists during his 454 appearances for the club, with the Europa League his sole trophy.
His personal accolades included the Prem golden boot in 2021-22 and the famed Puskas award in 2020, given to the best goal in the world in the previous year, for his unbelievable solo effort against Burnley in 2019.
Son, who arrived at Spurs in 2015 for £22m from Bayer Leverkusen, joins LAFC as their new marquee player following the exit of former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud to Arsenal.
Chairman Daniel Levy added: “Sonny is one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous Lilywhite shirt and he has been a joy to watch over the past decade.
“Not only is he a wonderfully gifted footballer, but he’s also an incredible human being who has touched hearts and inspired people throughout the club and all over the world.
“The Europa League triumph in Bilbao was a truly magical moment in the club’s history and Sonny lifting the trophy is a perfect lasting memory from his fantastic decade at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Sonny has given so much to this club, both on and off the pitch, and for that we are forever grateful.
“We wish him all the best for the future, and he will always be welcome back at the club as a beloved and cherished member of our Spurs family.”
Read the full article here