Son Heung-Min Confirms Departure From Tottenham Hotspur This Summer

‎Tottenham Hotspur captain, Son Heung-min, announced on Saturday that he will be leaving the club this summer after spending a decade in north London.

‎The 33-year-old forward joined the Premier League team from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has made over 450 appearances for Spurs.

‎In May, he lifted the Europa League trophy, but he had a poor season overall by his high standards and struggled with a series of leg injuries.

‎”Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer,” the South Korean told reporters in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour.

‎”Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision.”

‎Son, the player who has scored 173 goals for Spurs, did not reveal his next destination and appeared quite emotional during the announcement. He has been speculated to potentially move to the MLS in the United States.

‎”It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision,” Son said, flanked by new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank.

‎”I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change 10 years is a long time. I came to North London as a kid, 23 years old, at such a young age.

‎”I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.”

‎Speaking in Korean, Son said that winning a European trophy, Tottenham’s first European crown in 41 years, played “a big part” in his thinking.

‎”Winning a title in Europe felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could,” he said.

‎”I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again.”

‎Frank, who joined Spurs from Brentford in June, paid tribute to the South Korean skipper.

‎”For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player,” said the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou.

‎”He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League.”

‎Spurs will play against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul, where Son is expected to receive a warm reception from fans. Son has had a significant impact at the club, scoring 173 goals during his time there.

‎So far, Tottenham’s summer transfer activity has been limited, with Mohammed Kudus from West Ham as their only major signing.

‎Morgan Gibbs-White appeared to be close to transferring from Nottingham Forest, but a ₤60 million deal ultimately fell through.