Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has announced he will leave the club this summer after a successful decade. The South Korean star joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. He was captain when Tottenham won the Europa League final against Manchester United in May, securing their first trophy in 17 years.
Son Heung-min, 33, is in advanced negotiations with Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. He described the decision as "the most difficult of my career" during a press conference alongside new manager Thomas Frank.
"I came to north London as a kid - a young lad who didn't even speak English. Now, leaving this club as a grown man, it's a very proud moment for me," Son said.
Tottenham are currently in Seoul for pre-season training, with Son expected to lead the team in a friendly against Newcastle on Sunday, which could be his last appearance for the club in his homeland. Frank called Son Heung-min "a true Spurs legend" and one of the greatest players in Premier League history.
"If this is his last game, what better place to end it than here in front of his fans? It could be a beautiful ending," Frank added. Tottenham also face Paris St-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13, but it could be that Son leaves before that game.
Son Heung-min has also registered 101 assists in all competitions and holds Spurs' record for Premier League assists with 71. He is also the player with the most appearances in the club's history behind only five other players.
