Harry Kane has paid an emotional tribute to Son Heung-min after his former Tottenham team-mate sealed a record-breaking move to LAFC.
Son, 33, ended a glittering decade at Spurs to join the MLS side in a deal worth around £20million, signing off just months after lifting the Europa League – the club’s first silverware in 17 years.
Kane and Son formed one of the most devastating attacking partnerships in Premier League history, combining for a record 47 goals between them before Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich in 2023.
Kane took to social media, praising the South Korean as ‘one of the very best people in the game’ and reflecting on their eight years together in north London.
In a heartfelt message, the striker wrote: ‘Sonny Sonny Sonny. What can I say. We shared so many magical moments together on and off the pitch over the years. As a person and a player you deserved all the success you’ve enjoyed. One of the very best people in the game.’
The England captain added: ‘It gave me such joy to see you lift a trophy last season and no doubt you’ll be a success with your next steps. See you soon.’
Harry Kane took to X to send a heartfelt message to Son Heung-min after his Tottenham exit
The South Korean announced his departure from Spurs last week after 10 years with the club
Kane and Son formed one of the most devastating attacking partnerships in Premier League history, combining for a record 47 goals between them
Son scored 173 goals from 454 appearances for Tottenham after joining the club for £22m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.
He was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2020-21 and was the joint-winner of the Premier League Golden Boot award in 2021-22.
On three occasions Son was named Tottenham’s Player of the Season – in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22. He is regarded as one of the greatest Asian football players ever.
Son won his first trophy when appearing as a second-half substitute during the 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. This turned out to be his last competitive appearance for the club.
Speaking at press conference last Saturday, a tearful Son described choosing to leave Spurs as ‘one of the hardest decisions’ of his career.
‘I have decided to leave the club this summer. Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision,’ Son said.
‘It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision.
‘I came to north London as a kid – a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English. Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.’
Son joined Spurs 10 years ago and lifted his first trophy with the club at the end of last season
Son Heung-min candidly admitted that Los Angeles FC were not his first-choice destination
Son will reunite with former Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.
The Los Angeles side topped the Western Conference last season, but lost to Seattle Sounders in the playoffs before LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup.
Speaking at his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, Son revealed he had to be persuaded to make the move to the United States, before a conversation led to him ‘changing his heart’ and signing an initial two-year deal.
‘They’ve been absolutely working so hard to get me here to join LAFC,’ Son said.
‘If I’m honest, it was not my first choice but John [Thorrington, LAFC general manager] was the first call when the season finished and John changed my mind. He changed my heart.
‘I’m so happy to see all the Korean fans, I was at the game and I saw you supporting like crazy and I wanted to run on the pitch and show my performance.
I’m here to win and I will perform. I will definitely show you something exciting in… are we calling it football or soccer? I will definitely show you some exciting football, and we will have success.’
