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Ten years ago, a young Korean soccer player arrived in northern London with wide-eyed eyes, 23 years old. With his ambitious suitcase and a ruthless work ethic hidden behind his signature smile, his son Heung Min became a global superstar and Tottehom’s Hotspur legend.
Now he brings that legacy across the Atlantic to the United States.
In a move that is shaking the world of football on both sides of the ocean, his son reportedly signed with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and ended a decade-old spell with the Spurs to launch a new chapter in Major League Soccer (MLS). The reported $25 million relocation fee (waiting final confirmation) will establish a new MLS record earlier this year that surpasses the previous set of marks.
For LAFC, this is more than just a signature. That’s a statement.
The son’s emotional farewell came on Saturday at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea. There he confirmed that he had left Tottenham. Less than 24 hours later, he had one final bow in a preseason friendly match against his hometown of Newcastle. I sank into a standing ovation in the 64th minute, tears falling behind my normal calm.
“I came to London as a boy,” his son said. “I’m leaving as a man.”
And now the man is heading west.
After returning to France last month, LAFC was looking for a new attacking star. The void left by the French exit will be filled by the player who scored 173 goals in Tottenham’s 454 appearances.
But my son brought a moment. Something big. The target for the North London Derby. A stunning solo run with Burnley. The heartbreaking 2019 Champions League final. And finally, the 2019 Europa League title is the Europa League title, the first major trophy for Tottenham since 2008.
“When I won the Europa League, I felt like I did everything I could here,” my son said. “We need new challenges and new environments.”
Aptly, LAFC not only offers a fresh challenge, but also a familiar face.
With LAFC currently sitting 10-6-6 at the Western Conference, the arrival of his son could be a necessary spark for another deep playoff run. The club built a reputation for star power and silverware, winning the MLS Cup in 2022, missing a repetition in 2023, losing a heartbreaking playoff match with the Seattle Sounders at home last season. Not only will he add players to his son’s caliber, but he’s not only about his goals, but also about culture, leadership and global impact.
This doesn’t just sign another designated player. This is my son Hyun Min. World Cup captain. The winner of the Golden Boots in the Premier League. A man who has become synonymous with the face of Korean football, a Jersey sales rival, Global Superstar.
Some view this move as a farewell tour, but my son sees it as a launchpad.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming up rapidly and North America is set to host, the move to MLS will put him on the ground early. He is still the heartbeat of the South Korean national team, and he is the captain and the best scorer of all time among the best scorers of all time. The tournament may be his last and he hopes he is ready.
“My biggest priority is the World Cup,” my son said. “I play with joy, give everything I have and want to be in the best possible environment.”
Its environment is currently Banc at California Stadium under the California sun.
Tottenham’s new manager, Thomas Frank, calls his son “a Spurs legend in every way”, making it difficult to argue. From goals to power, humility and leadership, the son leaves behind a legacy engraved in sweat and joy. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Harry Kane as the deadliest offensive duo in club history, carrying the torch with pride as Kane left for Bayern Munich.
The Premier League loses a superstar. MLS wins one.
One thing is clear when his son Hyun Min takes the next step. He’s not caught up. He’s switching gears.
From Seoul to London to Los Angeles, the world continues to be eyeing.
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