Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll

Aug 06, 2025

Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
photo capture=Twitter



'WELCOME, SON HEUNG-MIN. LA FC FORWARD Son Heung-min, LA FC striker)'

Only the formal announcement of the official announcement did not take place. Now, there is no one who doesn't know where Son Heung-min's third act of his soccer life will take place. It is LA FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). As the news spread that Son Heung-min will go to LA FC, not only in LA but also the entire U.S. state of California, which is the size of South Korea, is excited.

New superstars appearing in MLS, especially 'Marketing Hero', which will receive full support and economic support from Korean communities across California, especially in LA. Son Heung-min is already being treated as the `King of LA' even before he started his career with LA FC. LA FC has already started selling uniforms with Son Heung-min's number 7 and his name marked.




In addition, he introduced Son Heung-min, who visited his home stadium before signing a contract, on the electronic display and greeted home fans. On the electronic display board, 'Welcome Son Heung-min, LA FC striker' he even posted the phrase. It was a scene where LA FC's expectations were felt for Son Heung-min.

Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
Son Heung-min, who ended his 10-year history (2015-2025) with Tottenham in the English Premier League, will face the third act of his professional career in the United States. Son Heung-min, who first started his professional career with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen after moving to Germany as a teenager, signed with Tottenham in the summer of 2015, marking the second act of his career in the EPL.

The second act of Son's career was a splendid heyday. Son Heung-min played in 454 games for Tottenham, scoring 173 goals and 101 assists, and scored 127 goals and 71 assists on the EPL stage. He ranked 16th in EPL history with 127 goals and 17th in EPL history with 71 assists. His 198 offensive points rank 13th. There are only seven players in the top 20 in total goals and assists, including Son Heung-min, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Andrew Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Mohamed Salah.




The awards are also spectacular. He won the FIFA Puskas Award, four EPL Player of the Month Awards, and nine Asian Best Footballer Awards. In the 2021-2022 season, he became the first Asian player to win the English Premier League (EPL) top scorer.

'Hylight in the second act of career' was the Europa League winner in the 2024-2025 season. It was Son Heung-min's first major championship in his career, and it was the first trophy for Tottenham in 17 years. Son Heung-min made his name in the club's history as Tottenham captain, who lifted the trophy for the first time in 17 years since Redley King in 2008. It was a perfect journey to be called the "Tottenham Legend".

Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
Son Heung-min is being rinsed against Tottenham and Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd. Sangam = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.03/
Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
A match between Tottenham and Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd, Tottenham Brennan Johnson is sharing joy with Son Heung-min after scoring the first goal. Sangam = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.03/
Leaving behind his 10-year history with Tottenham filled with glory, Son Heung-min chose to say goodbye beautifully.

Son Heung-min said at a press conference held at TWO IFC in Yeouido, Seoul on the 2nd, `It didn't seem like an easy decision. This summer, I decided to leave the team (Tottenham). I felt like I had to say something about this"I made a shocking announcement.

Son Heung-min then said "It was one of the most difficult decisions while playing soccer. I'm also proud of being in a team for 10 years while playing soccer. "I want to start over with a new motivation in a new environment. When I first came here 10 years ago, I was a boy who was not good at English. Now I'm leaving because I'm a man. I think there's a good time to say goodbye, too. It's hard, but I'm leaving at a good time. I hope everyone understands this" he said.

The pre-season friendly against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd was Son Heung-min's farewell match for Tottenham. Son Heung-min started wearing the captain's armband and played a game like goodbye to his teammates, opponents, and fans who filled the stadium for 65 minutes. When Son Heung-min was replaced, players from both teams lined up to make 'Guard of Honor'. It was the highest courtesy.

Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
The match between Tottenham and Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd, Son Heung-min, will be replaced in the second half, receiving the best courtesy from the players on the ground. Sangam = Reporter Huh Sang-wook's wook@sportschosun.com
Son Heung-min, who finished his relationship with Tottenham beautifully, decided to open the `Career Act 3' in the U.S. This is where the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup will be held. LA FC was chosen as the new team because it was also aimed at adapting to the local area in advance to perform at its best in the last World Cup.

Son Heung-min, who remained in Korea after breaking up with Tottenham players, left for LA on the 5th. This is for a full-fledged contract. On the 6th (Korea time), he visited the BMO Stadium, LA FC's home stadium, and watched the League Cup match between LA FC and Tigress, a Mexican club.

Hot eyes are already pouring into Son Heung-min. ESPN, a U.S. sports media outlet, reported that Son Heung-min watched the game from a luxury suite. LA FC also welcomed Son Heung-min on the electronic display. Son waved to the cheering LA FC home fans.

Son Heung-min, who crossed the U.S. from Tottenham legend to King of LA, is enjoying a storm of popularity. California is on a roll
Photo capture=LA FC
The LA FC club has already decided when to announce Son Heung-min's official joining. The press release was issued in both English and Korean at 6 a.m. on the 7th at BMO Stadium in downtown LA for a big announcement. It will be a joining ceremony attended by Son Heung-min.

Even before joining the team, Son Heung-min is already being treated as the `King of LA.' The position of a professional player is ultimately determined by the ransom, and Son Heung-min receives the highest transfer fee ever in MLS. ESPN said, `According to sources, Son Heung-min will transfer to LA FC for a transfer fee of about $26 million (about 36 billion won). The transfer fee is the highest ever, breaking the record of $22 million (about 30.5 billion won) that Atlanta United spent on recruiting striker Emmanuel Latteras last winter.

LA FC expects Son Heung-min's skills as well as 'K-marketing effects' It plans to absorb the attention of Korean fans across the Pacific Ocean as well as the Korean community in LA. If Son Heung-min continues the trend of 'K-pop'K-culture'K-food' that has already been widespread throughout the United States, he can expect more marketing effects than transfer fees. This is the real reason why LA FC treat Son Heung-min as a 'king'.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.