South Korean forward Son Heung-min is heading to Los Angeles FC. The deal was confirmed on Tuesday and already marks a historic moment as the most expensive transfer in Major League Soccer history: €22.4 million. That figure breaks the previous record of €21.2 million paid by Atlanta United for Emmanuel Lath back in February.
At 33, Son leaves Tottenham after ten seasons, despite still having a contract through 2026. Beyond the financial impact, what really stands out is that he turned down significantly higher offers from Saudi Arabia to play in the United States. In a market driven by massive deals and multi-million-dollar contracts, that’s not something you see every day.
Turning down Saudi Arabia and choosing MLS isn’t exactly the norm
Son had more than one option on the table. Saudi clubs offered higher salaries, bonuses, and guaranteed incentives. But he chose LAFC’s project. That decision says a lot about what he’s looking for at this stage of his career, competitive soccer, professional structure, and global visibility, especially with the U.S. set to co-host the next World Cup.
The American league has become a serious option for veteran players who still want to perform at a high level. And Son’s farewell to Tottenham reflected the same approach that defined his time at the club—respect, commitment, and humility. His final match was a friendly in Seoul against Newcastle that ended in a 1–1 draw. It was a fitting way to close out a decade-long chapter with the Spurs, in front of his most loyal fans.
His departure wasn’t forced or contentious. Son still had two years left on his deal but decided to take a different path. Tottenham accepted LAFC’s offer and let him go without any pushback. The strong relationship built over the years clearly played a role.
Familiar face eases transition
At his new club, Son will reunite with an old teammate, French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who shared the locker room with him at Tottenham for nearly ten years. Having a familiar face around could help him settle in both on and off the field.
Lloris joined LAFC back in January and has had time to adjust to life in the U.S. Having that kind of support close by matters, especially in a league with a different pace and a growing fan base.