Son Heung-min ended his 10-year association with Tottenham Hotspur when he was substituted in the 64th minute of the friendly match against Newcastle United on Sunday. It was an emotional moment for the South Korea star and his teammates as the match was paused for a few minutes as Son said goodbye to his teammates on the field as well as players of Newcastle as both sets of players hugging and bidding him well. The two teams even gave the player a mini guard of honour as he left the field.
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The 33-year-old South Korean had announced on Saturday that he will leave the club this summer. The club veteran also hinted at retirement after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Son is under contract with Spurs until 2026 and had led the club to their first trophy in 17 years with their win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May, having joined the North London club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.
“I have decided to leave the team this summer,” he said at a press conference ahead of Spurs’ pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul.
We’re not crying, you are 🥹
Heung-Min Son waves goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur after an incredible 10 years with the club 🤍 pic.twitter.com/co4oBSPkQt
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 3, 2025
“I think it was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made in my football career. Playing football and being with one team for 10 years is something I am very proud of, but I think I gave my all to the team every single day. I did my best on the field and off the field, and by winning the Europa League, I thought I’d done everything I could and achieved,” he had added.
Son has spent a decade at the Premier League side, scoring 173 goals in 454 appearances. He also won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season. “When I first arrived at Tottenham 10 years ago, I was a young boy who couldn’t even speak English well. I’m leaving now as a man. I believe timing is crucial in saying goodbye, and now feels like the right time,” he had said.
Speaking on his international career, Son said, “The World Cup is the most important. It could be my last World Cup, so it’s crucial that I give it my all. Also important is finding a place where I can play football happily. That’s what I’m contemplating.”
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