After a decade of dazzling Premier League defenders, Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has introduced he’ll depart the membership this summer season.
He revealed the information in a press convention alongside Thomas Frank in his homeland, forward of Spurs’ recreation in opposition to Newcastle in Seoul.
The 33-year-old South Korean ahead departs as a real Spurs icon, having scored 173 targets in 454 appearances, claimed the Premier League Golden Boot, and, most just lately, lifted the Europa League as captain – ending the membership’s 17-year await silverware.
His time in North London has been outlined not solely by his outstanding consistency however by moments of sheer brilliance that reside lengthy within the reminiscence of the Spurs trustworthy.
As Son prepares for a brand new problem in Los Angeles alongside former team-mate Hugo Lloris, we glance again at 5 of the best targets of his Tottenham profession.
1. The Puskas Award Winner
Tottenham 5-0 Burnley – Premier League, December 7, 2019
It’s not possible to speak about Son with out beginning right here.
This was the purpose that gained him the 2020 Puskas Award and can endlessly be etched in Premier League folklore.
After receiving the ball on the sting of his personal penalty space, Son turned and drove ahead.
Burnley gamers converged on the speedster, however one after the other they fell away as he sprinted nearly 70 yards with the ball at his ft.
With simply the goalkeeper to beat, he slotted into the nook – and nonetheless had the vitality left to wheel off and have a good time.
This was the quintessential Son purpose: lightning tempo, fearless dribbling, and a cool end on the finish of all of it.
The group rose to its ft in disbelief, Jose Mourinho regarded on smiling in awe, and even opposition followers applauded.
2. Stepping up on the most important stage
Manchester Metropolis 4-3 Tottenham – Champions League Quarter-Ultimate, April 17, 2019
Few targets carry as a lot weight in Tottenham’s fashionable historical past as Son’s first strike on that unforgettable evening on the Etihad.
In a chaotic opening 10 minutes that noticed 4 targets scored, Son’s cool composure stood out, because it all the time has completed.
After chopping inside from the left, he unleashed a wonderfully struck curling effort that sailed into the far nook past Ederson.
It was his second purpose of the evening, following up an earlier strike that levelled the tie.
These targets finally proved to be extremely necessary as Spurs progressed on away targets to achieve the semi-finals for the primary time of their historical past.
Within the warmth of a nerve-shredding Champions League tie, Son’s willingness to take accountability was simply one more reason for followers to fall in love with him.
These targets not solely despatched Spurs on their technique to the ultimate later that season however cemented his repute as a big-game participant.
3. Wondergoal at Wembley
Tottenham 3-1 Chelsea – Premier League, November 24, 2018
Tottenham have typically struggled in opposition to Chelsea however that modified in 2018, thanks partially to Son’s gorgeous solo effort.
Choosing up the ball on the fitting wing, he drove at Chelsea’s defence, reduce inside, and positioned a easy end previous Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The standard of the purpose is why it’s remembered so fondly at Spurs – in addition to the truth that it was in opposition to Chelsea, however it as soon as once more proved Son’s world-class skills.
That strike additionally embodied Son’s directness – the sort of relentless attacking mentality that gave Tottenham a innovative throughout Mauricio Pochettino’s peak years.
4. The Rocket in opposition to Arsenal
Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal – Premier League, December 6, 2020
If there’s one factor assured to make you a hero at Spurs, it’s scoring in opposition to Arsenal.
Son has completed it a number of instances, however his purpose within the behind-closed-doors North London derby of 2020 stands above the remainder.
Capitalising on a mistake from Sead Kolasinac, Son despatched a shocking curling effort from distance over Bernd Leno.
It was completely executed in a high-pressure recreation and got here at a time when Spurs wanted a spark to show their season round.
That purpose was as a lot about composure because it was about ability – an indicator of Son’s recreation. Even with out the roar of a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followers watching at residence erupted in delight.
5. Wembley once more
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund – Champions League Spherical of 16, February 13, 2019
The primary leg of this Champions League tie was hanging within the stability till Son, as so typically, delivered.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Jan Vertonghen’s excellent cross discovered Son on the again put up.
Timing his run to perfection, he lashed residence a first-time volley that despatched Spurs on their technique to a cushty 3-0 win.
It wasn’t essentially the most spectacular purpose on this record, however it symbolised one thing deeper: Son’s sense of event.
In a decent contest, he produced the breakthrough, displaying that uncommon capability to be decisive in Europe’s largest competitions. Spurs went on to achieve the ultimate that season, one thing that may not have been achieved with out their No.7.
An immortal legacy
As Tottenham put together to bid farewell, Son’s affect goes far past these 5 iconic strikes. Over ten years, he has given the membership unforgettable reminiscences.
173 targets and 101 assists throughout all competitions, whereas turning into the primary Asian participant to win the Premier League Golden Boot
A historic Europa League triumph as captain, ending a 17-year trophy drought.
And a spot within the document books for essentially the most mixed targets with Harry Kane in Premier League historical past, rating them because the deadliest duo ever seen in England.
However maybe Son’s biggest contribution lies in his character. At all times smiling, all the time humble, he has been a beacon of professionalism and sportsmanship.
Whether or not scoring a surprise purpose at Turf Moor or consoling a distraught opponent after an harm, Son epitomised the values that made him universally revered.
As he prepares to swap North London for a brand new problem in Los Angeles, Son leaves behind a legacy few gamers can match.
From the shy younger ahead who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, to the worldwide famous person who captained Spurs to silverware in 2025, his journey has been considered one of progress, resilience, and magic.
Tottenham followers will hope that his farewell recreation, more likely to be in Seoul in opposition to Newcastle, presents one remaining second of brilliance. No matter occurs, his title will reside endlessly within the membership’s historical past.