Sonny Is Exactly What Los Angeles FC and MLS Need
As a Tottenham Hotspur fan, it hurts to lose Son Heung-min. American soccer is getting a jewel of a player and a big commercial prospect.
Absolute treasure: Tottenham Hotspur's captain Son Heung-min.
Photographer: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFPWhen Son Heung-min was substituted in his final game for Tottenham Hotspur after a decade last Sunday, it took more than three minutes for him to get through the hugs and applause from all the players and leave the pitch. The hugely popular Korean attacker helped define an era at the English Premier League club, and he’ll be deeply missed by teammates, staff and Spurs fans, like me.
Son is reportedly joining Los Angeles FC for a record fee in Major League Soccer of about $26 million — more than the total wage bill of the West Coast club, according to the Los Angeles Times. That might seem like a gamble on a 33-year-old whose trademark speed has started to fade, but his grace, technique and composure should still see him light up a team that has struggled for goals this season.