Son Heung-min has confirmed Los Angeles were not his first choice after a 10-year spell at Tottenham, but added they have “changed his mind” over a record move to Major League Soccer.
The 33-year-old completed a deal worth more than £20 million on Wednesday – the largest transfer fee ever paid by an MLS club – after it was announced on Saturday that he would be leaving Tottenham, where he scored 173 goals in 454 games and months after leading the team to Europa League glory.
At a press conference in Los Angeles, the South Korean international admitted it took him time to be convinced of the benefits of moving to the United States before he signed an initial two-year contract.
“They did everything they could to get me to join LAFC,” Son said. “To be honest, it wasn’t my first choice, but John (Torrington, LAFC general manager) was the first one to contact me after the season ended, and he changed my mind, he changed my heart.”
“I am very happy to see all the Korean fans. I attended the match and saw how enthusiastically you supported me, and I felt the desire to go out on the field and show my game. I am here to win, and I will perform.”
“I will definitely show you something exciting in… football or soccer? I promise to show you exciting football, and we will succeed.”
Son added that the decision to leave Tottenham left him feeling “deeply empty”.
“I felt like I had given it my all, but I knew I needed a new chapter and a new challenge, so I chose LAFC. I'm not young anymore, but I still have good physical fitness, strong legs and great skills.”
Son previously sent a heartfelt message to Tottenham fans about making the “hardest decision of my life” to leave north London.
“How do I find the right words for this? I don't know. I've been thinking about it for days. It's impossible. But here's what I'll say,” Son wrote.
“It's time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur. My home for the last ten years. When I arrived here in 2015, I didn't speak English, I didn't know London, but you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me and supported me through all the ups and downs.
“I was just a kid from Korea with big dreams who wasn't given any chances. And now, 10 years later, North London is forever in my heart.
“I have met lifelong friends here, and have had the honor of being the godfather and captain of our unique club. I have put my heart and soul into this club, and it has been the hardest decision of my life.
“I thought that if I ever left, it would be on my own terms, on the best terms, when our task would be accomplished together. With pride and honor.”
Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and is the joint-record Premier League goalscorer with former teammate Harry Kane, having provided 47 assists between them in the competition.
Son's performance has helped Tottenham become a top team
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
