South Korean football icon, Son Heung-min, is reportedly set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in what would become the most expensive transfer in the league’s history valued at $26 million.
Although the move is yet to be officially confirmed, reports from ESPN and The Athletic indicate that the former Tottenham Hotspur star will soon be unveiled as LAFC’s newest signing, following his emotional farewell to Spurs last weekend.
On Tuesday night, LAFC announced a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), fueling speculation that the long-anticipated reveal of Son is imminent.
Anticipation surrounding Son’s arrival reached fever pitch on Tuesday, with nearly 40 eager fans gathering at Los Angeles International Airport in hopes of catching a glimpse of the 32-year-old winger. Despite their efforts, Son was not spotted, having departed South Korea just hours earlier.
“Son is incredibly important to me. I used to wake up at 5 or 6 a.m. just to watch him play in England,” said 19-year-old fan Jun Kwon, speaking to AFP.
“He’s going to change the landscape here. My father and I had no interest in MLS before but now we’re all in.”
Jun proudly wore a gold-and-black LAFC jersey freshly printed with Son’s name, purchased earlier that day in celebration of the expected announcement.
During his 10-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Son scored an impressive 173 goals in 454 appearances, becoming one of the Premier League’s most admired forwards. He confirmed his departure in Seoul last weekend following his final appearance for the North London club.
At LAFC, Son is expected to fill the void left by French striker Olivier Giroud, who departed for Lille in July. He will also reunite with former Spurs teammate and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who currently plays for LAFC.
If confirmed, Son’s arrival would not only mark a historic financial milestone for MLS but also significantly boost the league’s visibility across Asia and beyond.
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