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LAFC Set to Sign Son Heung-Min in Record-Breaking MLS Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 3:21 PM ET

Son Heung-min is set to join LAFC after a decade with Tottenham Hotspur. The South Korean star is expected to arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 5, to finalize the deal—one that will break the record for the most expensive transfer in MLS history.

While financial terms haven’t been officially disclosed, the LA Times reports that a league official familiar with the negotiations said the fee easily surpasses the $22 million Atlanta United paid to Middlesbrough earlier this year for striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

On the other hand, an undisclosed source reported to ESPN the price is set at $26 million, more than LAFC’s total payroll of nearly $22.4 million, which is sixth highest in the league. This is another big time move from manager John Thorrington who, over the past four seasons, has signed Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud; Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale; and Denis Bouanga, who led the MLS in goals in the last two full seasons.

Son at the Incheon Airport today to move to USA.

There were hundreds of fans at the airport and Son spent 36 mins to give his signature to all fans before he took his flight.

Photo =Yonhap News#sonheungmin pic.twitter.com/KVCqSpA1V2
— Sungmo Lee (@Sungmo_Lee) August 5, 2025

The club is funding part of the deal with the $10 million earned from its recent Club World Cup appearance. And despite the record-breaking cost, LAFC sees this move as a potential financial win. The team has long believed that bringing in a Korean star like Son to a global market like Los Angeles would unlock major returns through sponsorships and marketing.

How Much Will Son Heung-min Earn at LAFC?

Son is expected to take a Designated Player (DP) slot on LAFC’s roster — a role that allows the team to offer a salary well above the league’s salary cap. That could put his annual earnings at or above $10 million, significantly more than the $3.5 million LAFC currently pays fellow DP Denis Bouanga.

Unless LAFC signs another marquee name, the club will have just two players under the DP tag — with Son poised to become one of the highest-paid players in MLS. That said, it's unlikely he’ll surpass Lionel Messi’s $16 million salary at Inter Miami.