[OSENWORLD] In a moment that stunned both fans and media, South Korean football icon Son Heung-min announced his decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur, ending a legendary decade-long run with the North London club.
Speaking at a press conference held at the IFC Mall in Seoul ahead of Tottenham’s preseason match against Newcastle United on August 2nd, the 33-year-old captain remained composed, though visibly emotional, as he began with an unexpected statement.
“Before we begin the official press conference, I want to share something important,” he said. “I’ve decided to leave the club. I felt I had to say this first, before anything else.”
Son declined to reveal his next destination, stating that his focus remains on delivering an enjoyable performance for the fans in Friday’s match. “Today is not the time to talk about where I’m headed next. When everything is finalized, I’ll make it public,” he said.
The forward, who joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, called the decision “one of the hardest” of his career. “It’s been a proud journey—spending 10 years at one club is rare. I gave my everything to Tottenham, every single day,” he said.
Son’s legacy at Spurs includes a Premier League Golden Boot, countless highlight-reel goals, and—most recently—a UEFA Europa Conference League title. “That trophy made me feel like I had achieved everything I could at Tottenham,” he admitted, adding that it played a major role in his decision to seek a new challenge.
“After 10 years, I felt it was time for change—time to find new motivation in a different environment. The club has been incredibly supportive and respectful of my choice, and I’m very grateful for that,” he continued.
Reflecting on his growth, Son said, “When I first joined, I was just a kid who couldn’t speak English well. Now I leave as a grown man. Saying goodbye to a club that became like home is never easy, but I believe this is the right time.”
Only a few close teammates were informed ahead of time, including long-time friend Ben Davies. “Of course, they were disappointed,” Son noted, “but they understood and respected my decision.”
Fans in Hong Kong had already speculated something was amiss after a recent friendly against Arsenal, when Son passed the captain’s armband to teammates during the match. Asked about the incident, Son smiled, saying, “We were just messing around after the game. Richarlison is one of the jokers in the squad, and we’re all close. It was nothing serious.”
But beneath the smiles, Son admitted the past few weeks were emotionally challenging. “I’ve tried to stay positive, especially around the team. I didn’t want to cause any distractions or create noise. But I guess it’s hard to completely hide how you’re feeling.”
As for his fans, Son promised to give them his best in his final appearance on home soil: “I know how closely my fans watch everything I do, even the small gestures. I’ll try to leave them with happy memories over the next two days.”
Son’s departure marks the end of an era—not only for Tottenham, but also for Korean football as a whole.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
