Son Heung-min Joins LAFC, Bringing Star Power and Speed to MLS

South Korean football icon Son Heung-min is officially headed to Major League Soccer, signing a deal with Los Angeles FC after ten memorable seasons at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 33-year-old forward, widely considered Asia’s greatest footballer, confirmed his decision to leave Spurs just days ago, and LAFC wasted no time welcoming him. He was spotted Tuesday night watching LAFC’s Leagues Cup match against Tigres from a luxury suite at BMO Stadium, waving to fans as his face appeared on the big screen — and the place erupted.

Son will be formally introduced Wednesday, but make no mistake: this is one of the biggest signings in MLS history. Reports say LAFC shelled out over $20 million in transfer fees, which could set a new league record.

And the timing couldn’t be better. LAFC is pushing for another deep MLS Cup run, currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference with games in hand due to their Club World Cup schedule. Now, they’re adding a proven leader who just helped Spurs lift the Europa League in May — the club’s first European trophy in decades.

For Son, this isn’t just a football move — it’s a cultural one. Los Angeles is home to the world’s largest Korean community outside Korea, and LAFC’s home stadium is just a stone’s throw from the heart of Koreatown.

It’s easy to draw comparisons to baseball’s Shohei Ohtani, another East Asian superstar in LA, who’s become a global marketing juggernaut. LAFC is hoping Son brings a similar impact on and off the pitch — especially with the 2026 World Cup coming to North America. Son, still captain of South Korea, has already said he plans to play in his fourth tournament.

Despite a quieter Premier League season — his seven goals marked his lowest tally since joining Tottenham — Son is still blazing fast, tactically sharp, and deadly in front of goal. And at just 33, he’s on the younger side of the global talent now calling MLS home. (For context: Messi, Reus, and Suarez were all mid-to-late 30s when they joined.)

Son will reunite with Hugo Lloris, his former Spurs teammate, who’s been LAFC’s starting goalkeeper since last season. The two were cornerstones at Tottenham for years and now bring that chemistry to a team that thrives on pace and fluid attacking football — a system that plays right into Son’s strengths.

Unlike Olivier Giroud, whose slower style never quite fit LAFC’s counterattack and who recently left for Lille, Son seems tailor-made for the club’s fast, high-energy approach. He’s also expected to add tactical flexibility, able to slot in across the front line, potentially even rotating with current star Denis Bouanga, who usually operates on the left.

General Manager John Thorrington had faced some heat for missing out on other big-name targets — like Antoine Griezmann — but Son’s arrival changes everything. It’s a bold statement: LAFC is still all-in.

And with head coach Steve Cherundolo reportedly set to leave for Germany this winter, Son could become the anchor of LAFC’s next era — both on the scoresheet and in the locker room.

As LAFC aims to add more silverware and broaden its global appeal, Son’s move feels like more than just a transfer. It’s a moment — for the club, the league, and for Korean fans everywhere.