South Korean football icon Son Heung-min is on the verge of completing a blockbuster move to Los Angeles FC, with fans already gathering in anticipation—even before the club has made an official announcement.
According to multiple reports, Son will join LAFC for an MLS-record transfer fee of $26 million after departing Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, ending a decade-long spell in North London where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances.
While the move has not yet been formally confirmed, LAFC has called a news conference for Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) for what is being described as a “major announcement.” The event is widely expected to unveil Son as the club’s latest marquee signing.
News of Son’s expected arrival sparked immediate excitement in Los Angeles. On Tuesday night, around 40 eager fans gathered at LAX Airport, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol following reports of his impending touchdown.
“Son is immensely important to me. I used to wake up at five or six in the morning to watch him play in England,” said Jun Kwon, a 19-year-old supporter, speaking to AFP.
“He’s going to change things here. My father and I, who had no interest in MLS, are already won over.”
Jun wore a gold-and-black LAFC jersey with Son’s name already printed on the back—purchased just hours earlier.
From Premier League to MLS Spotlight
Son confirmed his departure from Tottenham during a farewell appearance in Seoul after his final match with the Premier League side. The 31-year-old leaves Spurs as one of the club’s all-time greats and the highest-scoring Asian player in Premier League history.
At LAFC, Son is expected to fill the void left by French striker Olivier Giroud, who was sold to Lille in July. The South Korean will reunite with another former Spurs teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who joined LAFC earlier this year.
The move is not just significant for LAFC, but for Major League Soccer as a whole, with Son’s arrival representing a major coup in the league’s continued push to attract global stars and elevate its international profile.