Son Heung-min Completes LAFC Transfer Setting MLS Record Fee as Korean Football Icon Heads to America

Son Heung-min, Asia's premier football star, has officially completed his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Major League Soccer's LAFC after a decade-long journey in North London. LAFC announced on August 11 that they have signed Son to a contract through 2027, with extension options until 2028 and June 2029, potentially keeping him in Los Angeles for up to four years.

The transfer fee is estimated at $26.5 million (approximately 36.7 billion won), establishing a new MLS record for highest transfer fee. Son joins LAFC as a "Designated Player" exempt from salary cap restrictions, with his annual salary expected to exceed Sergio Busquets' $8.7 million, potentially making him MLS's third-highest paid player behind Lionel Messi ($20.4 million) and Lorenzo Insigne ($15.4 million).

Son's final match for Tottenham was a preseason friendly against Newcastle in Seoul last Sunday, ending 1-1. The match provided a meaningful farewell as Son bid goodbye to Korean fans in his home country, closing his 10-year chapter with Tottenham where it all began for him professionally.

Premier League Golden Boot Winner's New American Challenge

Since joining Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son scored 173 goals in 454 official matches, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent performers. His crowning achievement came in the 2021-2022 season when he became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot, a historic milestone that elevated Asian football's profile globally.

As captain, Son led Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League victory last May, finally ending the club's silverware drought. For American soccer fans, this achievement parallels breakthrough moments in U.S. sports history, demonstrating how individual excellence can lift entire organizations and communities.

Son's MLS debut is scheduled for mid-August, with local media reporting that his first appearance will likely be either the August 16 home match against New England Revolution or the August 23 away game against FC Dallas. His home debut in front of LAFC supporters is expected to be September 1 against San Diego FC, promising a spectacular introduction to American soccer fans.

MLS Elevation Through Star Power

Son's arrival at LAFC represents a significant elevation in MLS prestige and global reach. Following Lionel Messi's transformative impact at Inter Miami, Son's signing brings another world-class talent to American soccer while specifically expanding MLS's appeal across Asian markets, where Son commands massive followings comparable to major American sports stars.

The signing reflects MLS's evolution into a destination league for players in their prime, not just a retirement home for aging European stars. Son, at 32, brings peak-level performance capability combined with international marquee value that could reshape perceptions of American soccer quality globally.

Korean Domestic Sports Updates

In Korean domestic football, Ulsan Hyundai secured a 1-0 victory over Jeju United in manager Shin Tae-yong's return match, earning their first win in 12 games. Shin returned to Ulsan after Hong Myung-bo moved to lead the national team, providing stability during a challenging transitional period.

K League matches on August 10 featured Pohang Steelers versus Gwangju FC at Pohang Steel Yard and Daejeon Hana Citizen against Suwon FC at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, continuing the domestic season's competitive action.

Korean baseball's KBO League saw LG Twins dominate their first-place showdown against Hanwha Eagles 8-1, recording their 17th second-half victory. This commanding performance strengthened LG's position atop the standings as they pursue unified championship glory, demonstrating the depth and quality of Korean professional baseball.

International Sports Highlights

Table tennis provided another Korean success story as Ahn Jae-hyeon defeated world No. 6 Alexis Lebrun of France 4-3, advancing to the WTT Yokohama tournament quarterfinals. This victory showcases the continuing strength of Korean table tennis on the international stage and the emergence of next-generation talent.

In mixed martial arts, UFC middleweight contenders Nazrat Dolidze (on a 3-fight winning streak) and Jose Hernandez (riding 7 consecutive victories) faced off on August 10, with both fighters seeking to establish themselves among the division's elite contenders.

Son Heung-min's move to MLS is expected to have far-reaching effects beyond Korean football, potentially influencing Asian athletes' career decisions and expanding global soccer's American footprint. Korean fans are already showing increased interest in Apple TV streaming options for MLS matches, indicating the immediate impact of his signing.

Soccer analysts predict that Son's MLS transfer transcends individual career moves, potentially opening doors for other Asian players to consider American soccer during their prime years rather than viewing it as a late-career destination.

Original Korean Article: https://trendy.storydot.kr/archives/673

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Original Article (Korean): Read in Korean