On Wednesday, LAFC broke the MLS transfer record by signing South Korean forward Son Heung-Min from Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.
One of the most popular soccer players from Asia, Son leaves Tottenham after 10 years in London. In his final competitive game for the club, Tottenham beat Manchester United in the Europa League final, ending a 17-year trophy drought.
Son left the London club a hero, scoring 173 goals and earning 101 assists across all competitions. Son also became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021-22.
Son is also the captain of the South Korean National Team and has appeared in three World Cups.
LAFC paid Tottenham approximately $26 million for Son’s signature breaking the MLS transfer record by a reported $4 million. The MLS transfer record has already been broken three times this season with Son’s price being the highest.
FC Cincinnati initially broke the record by signing forward Kevin Denkey from Belgium's Cercle Brugge for $16.2 Million in November 2024 following the conclusion of Cincinnati's season.
In the same offseason, Atlanta United broke the record again signing forward Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough in the English Championship for $22 Million.
The $26 Million price tag on Son-Heung Min makes him immediately one of the highest profile players in MLS and he will be expected to contribute to LAFC's season immediately.
The 33-year-old will occupy an international roster spot and will be eligible to play as soon as he receives his Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Son is fit to play after participating in Tottenham's preseason training before joining LAFC who are more than halfway through their season.
Son will join up with LAFC's current star man Denis Bouanga who has scored 20 goals in his previous two season and currently has 13 goals this season in 21 games.
Son will also be playing with his former Hotspur teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who joined LAFC in 2024.
LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo will hope that Son will be able to help his team win their second MLS Cup after winning their first in 2022.
Son could make his debut as early as Saturday, August 9 against Chicago Fire FC.
Currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference, LAFC are +1000 to win MLS Cup.
LAFC also has the fourth shortest odds to win the Western Conference at +650 with 12 games remaining.
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Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
