Son Heung-min presented at LAFC after joining from Tottenham: ‘not my first choice’
South Korean captain receives warm welcome in Los Angeles after reported MLS record transfer
South Korea star Son Heung-min said he was “here to win” on Wednesday as Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the “global icon” from Tottenham.
The 33-year-old will reportedly cost a widely reported MLS record US$26 million (HK$204 million) transfer fee after a decade in the Premier League, where he became a household name.
“I’m here to win, and I will perform,” he said at an introductory press conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with United States and South Korean media, fans and luminaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
He was already itching to get to work with his new teammates after watching them beat Mexican club Tigres UANL 2-1 in a Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night amid rabid support from fans energised by rumours of his signing.
“It was just, like, insane,” he said. “I just wanted to run onto the pitch and show my performance.”
An emotional Son announced on Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving Spurs, just months after ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League as captain.