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Tottenham Hotspur officially confirmed the departure of club legend Son Heung-min on Wednesday evening by sharing a video of the 33-year-old saying goodbye.

The video — which was posted via social media and captioned: ‘Dear Spurs fans… Sonny’s letter to you’ —  was accompanied by sombre music.

It began with Son sitting down in front of a camera and saying: ‘Dear Spurs fans, you’re always in my pictures. Every time I celebrate I make a memory of you. It’s our moment. I make the frame, so I don’t forget.’

This was a reference to Son’s trademark goal celebration, which sees him mime taking a photo. It is a celebration Tottenham supporters have seen a lot, considering Son has netted 173 goals since joining the club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. 

Son continued: ‘You welcomed me to north London, you watched me grow. Beautiful moments; the Golden Boot, the Puskas award… you were there. When I suffered you were still there. You stayed with me and I stayed with you.

‘I never imagined captaining this team, but I always dreamed that I would win something for you. We won the Europa League, and you all deserve it. Thank you for these years. Keep every picture. You were always in the frame. Thank you so much, love Sonny.’

Moments after posting the video, Spurs uploaded a 419-word statement on their official club website.

It began: ‘The Club can confirm the permanent transfer of Heung-Min Son to LAFC.

‘Sonny, 33, arrived at Tottenham Hotspur a decade ago – in August, 2015 – and has since established himself as one of the Club’s all-time greats. The South Korea international went on to make 454 appearances in Lilywhite, scoring 173 goals, the fifth-highest tally in our history.

‘Appointed captain in 2023, there have been countless memorable moments for Sonny on the pitch during his decade at the Club. In April, 2019, he etched his name into the history books with the first official goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and later that same season was an integral member of the first Spurs side to reach a Champions League final, scoring important goals in the round of 16 and quarter-final.

‘Sonny won the FIFA Puskas Award in 2020 for an extraordinary solo goal against Burnley, which saw him dribble the length of the pitch before finding the net. Both a scorer of great goals and a great goalscorer, he added to his personal accolades in 2021/22, receiving the Premier League Golden Boot for his 23-goal return in the division.

‘During his time at the Club, Sonny also became the highest-scoring Asian player in Premier League history and, in addition to leading South Korea to Asian Games success in 2018, has been named ‘Best Footballer in Asia’ a record nine times.

‘Sonny’s greatest achievement in our colours came in May, 2025, as he led the Club to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao. By doing so, he wrote his name into Spurs folklore, becoming one of 13 captains in our history to lift a major trophy.’

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was quoted as saying: ‘Sonny is one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous Lilywhite shirt and he has been a joy to watch over the past decade. Not only is he a wonderfully gifted footballer, but he’s also an incredible human being who has touched hearts and inspired people throughout the Club and all over the world.

‘The Europa League triumph in Bilbao was a truly magical moment in the Club’s history and Sonny lifting the trophy is a perfect lasting memory from his fantastic decade at Tottenham Hotspur.

‘Sonny has given so much to this Club, both on and off the pitch, and for that we are forever grateful. We wish him all the best for the future, and he will always be welcome back at the Club as a beloved and cherished member of our Spurs family.’

Son’s £20million move to LAFC makes him the most expensive player in MLS history. 

It was no secret that the 33-year-old was on his way this summer. Indeed, he had already been spotted in the stands during LAFC’s 2-1 defeat by Tigres on Tuesday.

Speaking last week before his final appearance for Spurs in a pre-season friendly in his native South Korea, Son broke into tears at a press conference as he declared: ‘I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision.

‘It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision.

‘I came to north London as a kid – a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English. Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.’

Son will reunite with former Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.

The Los Angeles side topped the Western Conference last season, but lost to Seattle Sounders in the playoffs before city rivals LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup.