Son Heung Min to leave Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years at club

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung Min, 33, will leave the English Premier League club this summer after 10 years there.

The South Korean revealed this at a press conference in Seoul on Aug. 2, calling it "the most difficult decision" he has made in his career.

Son did not share details of his future plans.

But he said he needs "a little bit of change" and "a new environment" to "push" himself:

"I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.

I want to say thank you to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love."

He added that he will share more details about his move after his Aug. 3 pre-season match against Newcastle United, reported Korea JoongAng Daily.

Son has reportedly been linked to a move to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), according to ESPN.

His contract with the Spurs ends in 2026.

Spurs star

Son led the Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years after defeating Manchester United in May's Europa League final.

He is one in just 13 players to have lifted a trophy as captain of the Spurs.

His win, he told media, was "a big part" of his decision to end his decade-long tenure with the club.

"I achieved something I’d been striving for," he said. "Part of me wanted to challenge myself in a new environment. I’m grateful to the club for supporting my decision.”

The star athlete is the seventh in Spurs history to have made 450 appearances, having clocked 454.

He is also the first Asian player to win the prestigious Golden Boot, a former Asian Games gold medallist for South Korea, and a Calvin Klein model.

You can watch his full statement here.

Top image from Tottenham Hotspur/X and Son Heung Min/Instagram