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'Son National' Son Heung-min (33) has built a new nest in the U.S. The destination is LA FC, Major League Soccer (MLS).
LA FC announced Son Heung-min's recruitment on its official channel on the 7th (Korea time). LA FC said Son Heung-min will be able to play immediately if he gets a U.S. P-1 visa and International Transition Certificate (ITC). LA FC has played for Tottenham for 10 years and scored 173 goals and 101 assists in all competitions, saying it is `one of the most talented and popular Asian players in football history.' After becoming the first Asian player to win the Premier League's top scorer in the 2021-2022 season, he joined LA FC this time,' introduced Son Heung-min.
Joe Torrington, co-chairman and general manager of LAFC, said, `Son Heung-min is a world icon and one of the most dynamic and outstanding players in world football.' `His ambition, ability, and personality perfectly match the values of LAFC. I am proud that Son Heung-min chose LA for the next chapter of his career."
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Senior owner Bennett Rosenthal also said, `It has been our dream for many years to bring Son to LA FC and our city`"My partners and I respect Son Heung-min very much as a player and Son Heung-min as a person. The recruitment of Son Heung-min shows our ambition to build a reputation as a world-class club. Son Heung-min welcomed the inspiration to LA fans and millions of fans around the world as well as Southern California."
Son Heung-min is also `very proud to join LAFC, one of the most iconic sports cities in the world.' LAFC boasts a long history of championships. A new challenge in MLS is expected. I'll lift the trophy for this team, for the city and for the fans. I will give everything for the fans"I vowed.
Son Heung-min's trip to LA FC was already 'Geoffensive' the day before. Son Heung-min, who left the country on the 5th, visited BMO Stadium in the U.S., where the League Cup match between LA FC and Tigress, a Mexican club, was held on the 6th. BMO Stadium is the home of LA FC. Son Heung-min was wearing the same clothes he wore when he left the country. I moved straight to the stadium. Numerous fans gathered at LA Airport to greet Son Heung-min, but Son Heung-min did not appear at the arrival hall. It is reported that he escaped through a separate exit prepared by LA FC. I went straight to the stadium and watched the performances of the players who would become new teammates.
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When Son Heung-min appeared at BMO Stadium, the news was quickly delivered through SNS. During the match, LA FC projected Son Heung-min on the electronic display and also sent out the caption "'Welcome, Son Heung-min'. Below it was written 'LAFC Forward'. Son Heung-min's transfer to LA FC has become a fait accompli. Son Heung-min appeared to be sitting in a VIP seat side by side with the co-management of Bennett Rosenthal and talking several times. Son Heung-min also waved his hands and answered the cheers of the fans.
LA FC also released a press release saying, `At 6 a.m. on the 7th, a press conference will be held at BMO Stadium in downtown LA for a significant announcement.' The press release was unusually distributed simultaneously in English and Korean. The club announced that the press conference would be broadcast live on its official website and YouTube channel.
Son Heung-min is already being treated as an LA FC player. Son Heung-min's uniform with number 7 on it began to be sold on the official store of LA FC's home stadium. In the photos of fans gathered at the LA airport, the LA FC uniform marked with Son Heung-min was quite noticeable. There were even fans who signed and certified Son Heung-min's LA FC uniform.
Son Heung-min wrapped up his 10-year companionship with Tottenham after a friendly match against Newcastle at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd. Foreign media have pointed to LA FC as Son Heung-min's destination early on. Tom Bogert, who is considered a first-tier reporter on MLS, BBC, The Athletic, etc. will recruit Son Heung-min with the highest transfer fee in MLS history' he said. The transfer fee is $26.5 million (about 36.7 billion won), surpassing the league's highest transfer fee of $22 million (about 30.5 billion won) set by Atlanta United in January 2025.
His annual salary is expected to reach the top three in MLS. Although the specific salary has not been disclosed yet, local media said Son Heung-min will receive the third highest salary after Lionel Messi ($20.4 million, about 28.3 billion won) and Lorenzo Insine ($15.4 million, about 21.4 billion won).
LA FC was founded in 2014 and has been participating in MLS since 2018. The owners include Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, and Norma Garcia Parra, who are the legends of women's football. It has won the MLS Cup in 2022 and the U.S. Open Cup in 2024. In the past 'National University Fullback' Kim Moon-hwan played and formed a relationship with Korean soccer. Currently, coach Steve Cherundolo is leading the team, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who played with Son Heung-min at Tottenham in the past, is playing as vice-captain.
Son Heung-min's American dream has begun.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
