Tottenham star's LAFC transfer raises eyebrows for right reasons

Son Heung-Min. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tottenham Hotspur star's LAFC transfer raises eyebrows for the right reasons

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 4:17 PM ET

There aren't many athletes like Son Heung-min, the Korean attacker who's set to join Los Angeles FC for a blockbuster transfer fee of $20M-$26M, per GIVEMESPORT.

During his 10-year run with Tottenham Hotspur — a stretch in which he broke Premier League scoring records and led the team to its first championship trophy in 17 years — Son played a major role for the Spurs off the field, too.

The 33-year-old attacker hosted massive Korean banquets for Spurs staff, often catered by himself and his mother. He became godfather to teammate Ben Davies' child. Son also became renowned for treating people with respect, regardless of their station, and proved that you can be a world-class athlete without losing your principles.

Son wasn't interested in leaving the Spurs for another Premier League club. He wasn't keen on signing elsewhere in Europe despite receiving serious interest from dozens of top clubs. Instead, he zeroed in on a wild, unexpected career shift to Major League Soccer.

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His transfer will be one of the biggest in the 31-year history of MLS.

There are two types of players who join MLS on mega-deals like this: young, hyped talent from European and South American leagues (Atlanta's Emmanuel Latte Lath or Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey) and past-their-prime legends (Miami's Lionel Messi or the New York Red Bulls' Emil Forsberg). Son doesn't fit either of those categories. At 33, he's neither a moldable prospect nor an inflexible veteran. He's a world-class athlete in his prime, one who would be just as stellar at world powers Barcelona or Bayern Munich as he will with LAFC.

This is the first time in a long time that MLS has successfully courted a player of Son's caliber and fitness level. One could argue that Toronto FC pulled it off when it signed Italian attacker Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi in 2022, but both players floundered in MLS. (Toronto released each this summer.)

Son, with his indefatigable spirit and endless desire to please, is unlikely to make the mistakes in MLS that Insigne and Bernardeschi did. He's a willing ambassador and team player. In other words, he Messi with a little more gas in the tank.

He's also a fascinating addition for LAFC. American soccer succeeds through multicultural exchange and owes much of its growth — on and off the field — to diasporas around the country. Son is one of South Korea's most famous and beloved celebrities, and Los Angeles features one of the world's largest Korean communities. His arrival in the L.A. will introduce American soccer fans to the Korea diaspora and should bring a wave of interest and positivity.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Son's LAFC deal is expected to be finalized in early August. That would give Son a chance to improve LAFC's fortunes. The team (10-6-6), once known for its stability and unshakable nature, is sixth in the Western Conference with 12 games left to play in the regular season.

LAFC will return to MLS action Saturday against the Chicago Fire.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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