Son Heung-min was overcome with emotion as he bid farewell to Tottenham Hotspur during a friendly match against Newcastle United held in his home country of South Korea. The 32-year-old forward, who has spent the last decade at the North London club, had just announced his decision to leave Spurs marking the end of a transformative and illustrious era.
Son played 65 minutes in what will go down as one of the most sentimental matches of his career. As he left the pitch, a thunderous ovation from over 65,000 fans enveloped the stadium, bringing the usually composed forward to tears. He later admitted that he hadn’t expected to cry, but hearing words of farewell from his teammates and reflecting on a decade at the club made the moment deeply emotional.
“I felt truly happy to be able to play this match,” he shared. “A huge thank you to my fans, teammates, and even our opponents for making it such a memorable day.”
Having joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, Son went on to become one of the club’s all-time greats. With 173 goals in 454 appearances, he not only cemented himself as a fan favorite but also as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and admired forwards.
“This was the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my career,” he said. “Ten years is a long time. I came to North London as a 23-year-old, and I’m leaving as a grown man and a very proud one.”
Although his contract was due to run until 2026, Son leaves on his own terms. His departure comes just weeks after finally achieving silverware with Tottenham, helping the team lift the UEFA Europa League trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester United. That long-awaited title seemed to mark a natural end to his journey.
“After that victory, I felt like I had achieved everything I could here. I think now is the right time to move on.”
While his next destination remains unconfirmed, speculation continues to link him with a move to Major League Soccer, possibly to Los Angeles. Regardless of where he goes next, Son Heung-min’s legacy at Tottenham is secure one of brilliance, humility, and unforgettable memories.
