South Korean football star Son Heung-min has yet to be officially unveiled as a player for Los Angeles FC (LAFC), but anticipation is already reaching fever pitch among fans in the United States.
According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, Son—who confirmed his departure from Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend—is set to join LAFC in a Major League Soccer-record transfer deal worth $26 million.
While the club has not officially confirmed the signing, LAFC announced a news conference scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), teasing a “major announcement” widely believed to be Son’s unveiling.
On Tuesday, following media speculation about Son’s imminent arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, dozens of enthusiastic fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Korean icon. Though he did not appear publicly after departing South Korea hours earlier, the atmosphere was charged with excitement.
“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 19-year-old fan Jun Kwon, speaking to AFP.
“He’s going to change things here. My father and I, who had no interest in MLS, are already won over,” he added, proudly wearing a freshly purchased LAFC jersey bearing Son’s name.
Son leaves Tottenham after a decade of success, scoring 173 goals in 454 appearances. The winger confirmed his exit during a farewell match in Seoul last weekend.
At LAFC, Son is expected to fill the void left by French striker Olivier Giroud, who transferred to Lille in July. He will also reunite with former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris, now the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The anticipated transfer marks a significant milestone for MLS, underscoring the league’s growing appeal to global stars and its ambitions on the international stage.
AFP
