Son Heung-min Confirms Emotional Tottenham Exit After a Decade of Service
After a remarkable ten years in North London, Tottenham Hotspur captain and club star Son Heung-min has formally confirmed his departure from the team this summer. The team’s preseason tour included a press conference in Seoul, where the tearful announcement was made.
Flanked by new Spurs manager Thomas Frank, the 33-year-old South Korean international told reporters that leaving was “the most difficult decision” of his career. “I have decided to leave this club this summer,” he stated, explaining that he needs a “new environment for a fresh challenge.”
“I came to North London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age,” Son said, holding back tears. “A boy who couldn’t speak English. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.”
Son, who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen in Germany in 2015, has grown to be one of the most recognisable and adored players in the Premier League.
During his ten-year tenure, he made 454 competitive appearances and scored 173 goals, ranking fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list. The 2021–22 Premier League Golden Boot, which he shared with Mohamed Salah, was a major high point of his career.
His departure comes just months after he captained Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years: the UEFA Europa League title — a moment he described as a major factor in his decision-making. “By winning the Europa League, I thought I’d achieved everything I could here,” he explained.
