Tottenham Hotspur and LAFC agree Heung-min Son deal which could break transfer record

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Tottenham Hotspur and LAFC agree Heung-min Son deal which could break transfer record

Sean O’Brien

5 – 6 minutes

Tottenham Hotspur and Los Angeles FC are finalising a move that will see Heung-min Son join the MLS club after agreeing a deal in principle.

talkSPORT understands the South Korea forward has agreed personal terms over the switch and will join LAFC in a deal worth over £15million.

Son announced his decision to leave Tottenham in an emotional press conference in South Korea

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Son announced his decision to leave Tottenham in an emotional press conference in South KoreaCredit: AFP

The fee could set a new MLS league record transfer, which currently stands at the $22m (approximately £16.5m) Atlanta United spent to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath earlier this year.

Son, who joined Spurs in 2015, played what will be his last match for the club against Newcastle in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, coming off to a standing ovation in the 64th minute at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The 33-year-old held a press conference alongside new Spurs boss Thomas Frank on Saturday and publicly confirmed his decision to leave after ten years in north London.

The transfer sees Son link up with former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris in America.

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Speaking before the friendly against Newcastle, an emotional Son said: “Before we start the press conference, I just want to share the information that I’ve decided to leave the club in the summer.

“And respectfully, the club is helping me with my decision.

“So I just want to share this information before we start the press conference.”

The winger added: “It was the most difficult decision of my football career.

“I’ve been here ten years at a beautiful club with beautiful fans and having such amazing memories.

“And after all that, it was so hard to make this decision. But as I said, I feel like I need a new environment and to push myself.

Son is set for a huge Tottenham send-off in South Korea

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Son is set for a huge Tottenham send-off in South KoreaCredit: Getty

“And to get more of me, I feel like I need a little bit of change. Ten years is a lot of time when you’re thinking about it.

“So and I came to London as a kid. 23 years old, a very young age [and] a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English.

“And [I’m] leaving this club as a grown man. This is a very, very proud moment.

“So I just wanna say thank you to all of the Spurs fans that gave me so much love.

“I felt like it was my home. But yeah, it was, it was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made.”

Son is arguably the greatest international player in Tottenham history, sitting seventh on their all-time appearance list after featuring 454 times.

Son got his hands on a major trophy earlier this year after ten years at the club

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Son got his hands on a major trophy earlier this year after ten years at the clubCredit: Getty

He also established himself in the Premier League’s history books, scoring 127 times in England’s top-flight and ending up 16th on the list of all-time top goalscorers, above the likes of Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright.

The South Korean’s exit comes months after finally lifting his first trophy as club captain when Spurs won the Europa League in May.

Son’s final match was overshadowed by a worrying knee injury sustained by Spurs star James Maddison, who left the pitch in tears and on a stretcher after he chased a ball down, kicked his leg out before he suddenly came to a halt.

What has been said about Heung-min Son’s press conference?

talkSPORT co-host Tony Cascarino led the praise of Son’s extraordinary Spurs career after his exit was announced.

“I love players that give so much to a football club,” the former Ireland striker said.

Thomas Frank on Heung-min Son’s exit

“It’s very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain [against Newcastle on Sunday].

“If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans.

“It could be a beautiful ending.”

“He’s never been on the front pages, never been a problem, never disrupted the camp, played second fiddle to Harry Kane for long periods, but was absolutely pivotal to his partnership with him.

“Ten years, perfect. He’s lost half a yard, that has been detrimental to him as a player. But when I look at him, I just think what a great pro.

“If you’re any manager, Thomas Frank would love to have kept him and worked with him, but I think he’s done the right move.

“I mean, last year, watching him coming off the bench so often and even Spurs fans saying that someone’s not quite the same player.

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“He’s been an absolute legend at the football club. And seemingly just a great lad to be around.

“He’s been a true professional that fans should just applaud. And I think it’s perfect timing for him to go on and pass a new challenge for him at 33.”