Los Angeles, Aug 7 (NationPress) Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles FC has officially acquired Tottenham Hotspur icon Son Heung-Min. At 33 years old, he will take up an international roster position and will be eligible to participate once he obtains his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Considered one of the most gifted and beloved Asian athletes in football history, Son has joined LAFC after a legendary decade with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he netted 173 goals across all competitions, provided 101 assists, and made history as the first Asian player to secure the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021–22 season.

The transfer fee of USD 26 million marks a record for Major League Soccer, a reflection of his immense contribution to the Premier League where he became a household name.

Son joins an elite roster of international football legends at LAFC, following the likes of Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini, Olivier Giroud, and former Tottenham teammates Gareth Bale and Hugo Lloris.

“I’m immensely honored to be joining LAFC, a club with grand aspirations in one of the most iconic sports cities globally. Los Angeles boasts a profound legacy of champions, and I am here to contribute to the next chapter. I’m eager for this new challenge in MLS. I have arrived in L.A. to win trophies and to give my all for this club, this city, and its supporters. I can’t wait to get started,” Son expressed in a statement.

Son made his debut in Germany’s Bundesliga with Hamburg SV at the age of 18 before transferring to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013, where he scored 21 goals in 62 appearances before signing with Tottenham in 2015. During his time there, Son was recognized as the club’s Player of the Year twice, named to the PFA Team of the Year, and played a pivotal role in leading the team to the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final. After succeeding Lloris as Tottenham’s captain in 2023, Son guided the Spurs to the 2025 UEFA Europa League title, marking the club’s first trophy in 17 years.

“Bringing Son to LAFC and our city has been a dream for us for many years. His signing signals our dedication to excellence on the pitch and our ambition to enhance our status as a world-class club on the global football stage. Son, both as a player and as a person, will inspire not only our fans in LA and the remarkable community in Southern California but also millions of supporters worldwide,” stated LAFC Lead Managing Owner Bennett Rosenthal.

As the captain of the South Korean national team, Son has competed in three World Cups and stands as one of South Korea’s all-time leading scorers with over 130 appearances.

For his national team, Son has netted 51 international goals and represented South Korea in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cups, as well as four AFC Asian Cups. In 2018, he led South Korea to a gold medal at the Asian Games.