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Son Heung-min (33, LA FC), who became 'LA Man', finally reunited with Hugo Lloris.
On the 9th (Korea time), LA FC released a video showing Son Heung-min and Lloris meeting at the training site on their official SNS. In the video, Son Heung-min and Lloris shared a hot hug with a bright smile. When Lloris hugged Son Heung-min, calling him "Sony," Son Heung-min patted Lloris on the back, saying "I feel like I'm home."
It is the first reunion in a year and seven months. Lloris left Tottenham for LA FC in December 2023. Lloris, who left Lyon in the summer of 2012 and wore a Tottenham uniform, played an active role as the main goalkeeper. He has been wearing the captain's armband for eight years since 2013. Coincidentally, the successor of Lloris was Son Heung-min. Tottenham, which had a new season with Enze Postecoglou's new appointment in the summer of 2023, chose Son Heung-min as its new captain. He was the first Asian captain in the club's history.
In the summer of 2015, Son Heung-min left Leverkusen to wear Tottenham's uniform, and the two of them, who opened Tottenham's heyday together, also remember being uncomfortable at one point. In July 2020, while entering the locker room after the first half of the Everton match, Lloris suddenly ran to Son Heung-min and shouted to actively participate in the defense. Son Heung-min also ran to Lloris and shouted back. It ended warmly after his colleagues around him stopped him, but the case remained to be talked about. The scene was released entirely through a documentary 'All or Nothing' produced by Amazon Prime.
The bond of relationship continued again this summer. LA FC announced Son Heung-min's recruitment through the club's channel on the 7th. The contract period is '2+1+1'. LA FC will be registered as a 'Designated Player' until 2027, with an option to extend it until 2028. It also includes options up to June 2029' The club did not disclose Son's transfer fee and annual salary. In foreign media such as the BBC, the transfer fee is reported to be 20 million pounds (about 36.8 billion won) and the annual salary is more than 10 million dollars, ranking third in MLS.
Son Heung-min, who greeted fans in advance at BMO Stadium in the U.S., where the League Cup match against Tigress, a Mexican club, was held on the 6th, held his first press conference shortly after the official announcement. Son Heung-min's joining ceremony included local politicians such as LA Mayor Karen Bath, LA Representative Dave Min, LA City Councilman Heather Hurt, and Korean Consul General Kim Young-hwan, as well as club officials such as LA FC co-chairman and general manager John Torrington and senior owner Bennett Rosenthal. In the United States, where soccer is not very popular, it is unusual for a big-time politician to be present at a player's joining ceremony. They welcomed Son Heung-min to join LA FC in Korean, such as "Hello" and "Welcome."
Mayor Bath said "Today is a really exciting day for us in L.A. "On behalf of millions of 'Angelino (L.A.)' and soccer fans around the world, Son Heung-min is welcome to LA." I will then declare that "Sony" is officially Angelino," he said, awarding a specially made citizenship card as a gift.
Opening his mouth amid cheers from many fans, Son said, "My dream came true. L.A. is a huge city. I'm here to win." Son Heung-min received love calls not only from the U.S. but also from Saudi Arabia and the Turkiye this summer. He made a surprise confession that `LAFC was not the first option.'
There was a reason why Son Heung-min decided to go to LA FC. The first was the aggressive persuasion of the owner. Son Heung-min said "John changed my mind with the first call after the end of the season. He showed me his vision of where to go" he said.
The second was the presence of Lloris. Son Heung-min said "Laurice is still my captain, so I have to say good things. Or I might get in trouble in the locker room," he said with a smile, and talked to him when rumors first surfaced about his trip to LAFC. He told me a good story and helped me decide. I haven't met him yet, but we've had a good relationship. I'm glad to see you again, Captain.
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 20: Hugo Lloris #1 of LAFC reacts following the team's elimination from the Club World Cup during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Los Angeles Football Club and Esperance de Tunis at GEODIS Park on June 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Richard Pelham/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Richard Pelham / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
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Lloris also seemed surprised by the reunion with Son Heung-min. "It's amazing to be back with Son Heung-min at LA FC," he said in an interview with ESPN`"Son Heung-min starts anew in his LAFC uniform, but his ambition and motivation are the same. He is an outstanding competitor. He has been captain of Tottenham for two years and has been captain of the South Korean national soccer team.
Then "At first, I didn't expect Son Heung-min to come to LA FC."`"Son Heung-min has poured everything into Tottenham for the past 10 years and even won the Europa League. Son Heung-min's joining is a good thing for our team. He said, "He is an exemplary player who has a lot to learn, so I think he will leave a big impact on the team."
Lloris also mentioned the incident five years ago, which he "Honestly doesn't like (the scene). I don't like the impression that the scene gives. Because in the end, we had such a good relationship." Then "Me and Son Heung-min were very close. It was a scene of pressure on results, a desire to finish in the top four at the time"In the end, we were struggling and sometimes crossed the line by expressing ourselves. After the game, the game was already over and I had to move on. Such scenes are common in the locker room. I made a mistake then."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
