Son Heung-min: From Tottenham Legend to LAFC's New Star | His Journey Past and Present

The proud South Korean captain Son Heung-min recently moved to LAFC for MLS in the U.S. after more than 10 years with Tottenham in the Premier League. It hasn't been long since he transferred, but the impact of his transfer is beyond imagination. Before we see the impact of his recent transfer, let's take a look at how he has grown.

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출처 : AFP연합뉴스

⚽ South Korea's No.7 Son Heung-min, Where It All Began

Born on July 8, 1992, in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Son Heung-min has become the city's most famous export. While Chuncheon was once known for its dakgalbi (spicy chicken) and scenic train rides, it's now proudly recognized as Son's hometown, with murals of the football star adorning the city streets. #SonHeungmin #Chuncheon #KoreanFootball

Under the guidance of his father, Son Woong-jung, a former professional footballer, young Son developed solid fundamentals before joining Hamburg SV's youth academy in Germany. After making his professional debut with Hamburg in 2010, he showed consistent growth and moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013. His brilliant performances there caught the attention of Europe's top clubs, and in 2015, thanks to his father's dedicated efforts (a touching story he shared on You Quiz!), he made the move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

🏆 From Asia's Best to World-Class Player

Son's decade at Tottenham was nothing short of spectacular. Becoming the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot, his Champions League semifinal heroics against Manchester City, countless goals in the North London Derby... Son established himself not just as Asia's best, but as a truly world-class player. #PremierLeague #Tottenham #GoldenBoot

What stands out most is his humility and teamwork. Always prioritizing team success over personal glory and celebrating with teammates has captured hearts worldwide. The love and praise from Tottenham's local fans and commentators wasn't just about his skills, but his character too.

His charitable work is equally impressive. Establishing the Son Heung-min Foundation to support underprivileged children and building youth football facilities instead of investing in real estate shows his true sportsmanship. #SonHeungminFoundation #YouthFootball

한국축구대표팀 주장 손흥민. 출처 : 뉴스1

🇺🇸 New Challenge: LAFC Move and the Son Effect Shaking America

January 7, 2025, brought shocking news to the football world: Son Heung-min's official transfer to MLS club LAFC! Honestly, I couldn't believe it at first. After 10 years as a Tottenham legend, Son was heading to America... But this was the beginning of a new adventure. #LAFC #MLS #SonTransfer

In just two weeks, America has been swept by "Son fever." Google Trends data proves it - "Son Heung-min" searches peaked at 100 on his transfer announcement day, with explosive interest not just in California, but across America including Washington DC, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. #SonEffect #GoogleTrends

On January 10, he came off the bench against Chicago Fire, winning a penalty that led to a 2-2 draw. On the 17th against New England, he made his starting debut with a goal and an assist. Being named in MLS's "Team of the Week" alongside Messi was such a proud moment!

출처 : LAFC 인스타그램

💰 Son's Impact Beyond Imagination

LAFC President John Thorrington's words say it all: "Son has surpassed the jersey sales of every global sports star including Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Steph Curry." Hard to believe, but it's actually happening! #JerseySales #SonPopularity

Even more amazing is the surge in searches for LAFC and MLS itself. On January 6, the day before Son's transfer announcement, LAFC searches hit 100, and MLS searches spiked every time Son played. That one player can elevate an entire league's profile like this is absolutely incredible!

In his post-signing interview, Son said he wanted to "raise the profile of both LAFC and MLS," and the effects are already showing. As a fan, I'm so excited to see what changes will come by the end of his two-year American journey. #AmericanSoccer #MLSGrowth

Son Heung-min, who overcame humble beginnings to reach the pinnacle of football, is now writing a new chapter in America. His challenge goes beyond personal success - it's a meaningful journey that elevates Asian football's status and contributes to MLS's globalization. As a fan, I'm cheering for Son's new adventure and looking forward to all the amazing stories he'll create!