Spurs captain Son says he's leaving the club
Son, who is under contract until 2026, led Spurs 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.
While Son did not disclose his next destination, British media have linked him with a move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.
"I have decided to leave the team this summer," Son said at a press conference ahead of Spurs' pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday.
"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."
Son has made 454 appearances for Spurs and scored 173 goals. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season.
"It was the place where I grew a lot as a football player and a person, so I have a very grateful heart."
Manager Thomas Frank said Son was "truly Spurs legend in every aspect".
"I like that the club has been open to it because it is never, never easy to find that perfect timing ... I think it is probably the perfect timing going out on a high," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Wirtz's creativity can make up for Trent loss: Reds' boss Slot
Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid has left Liverpool wanting for creativity but the signing of attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz can help offset that deficiency, the Premier League club's manager Arne Slot said. Liverpool smashed their transfer record in June to sign Wirtz and bolster their attacking options, with the German international having scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time at Anfield on Monday, putting in an impressive performance in the Merseyside club's 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season match. 'I think there's always room for improvement in every department. Like I said, we've added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. So, Florian (Wirtz) has a lot of creativity in the final third,' Slot told reporters. 'We've lost with Trent (Alexander-Arnold) a lot of creativity from the back. Trent's crosses and picking out runners was so special - I think Flo has this quality as well in a totally different position. 'But he brings that creativity, the pace of Hugo (Ekitike), the pace of both full-backs - Milos (Kerkez) and Jeremie (Frimpong) today.' Liverpool, who won the Premier League to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, have been busy in the transfer market as they look to build on last season's success. Slot said it was crucial to strengthen the squad. 'Our competitors are not sitting still,' he added. 'Not only they try to improve as well but they have also made a lot of signings, like we all have done. So that's why it's going to be a very interesting Premier League in the upcoming year again.' Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Aug. 10, before beginning their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on Aug. 15. Wirtz unfazed by huge price tag: Wirtz says his huge price tag 'doesn't matter' as he prepares for his first season in the Premier League after a switch to champions Liverpool from Leverkusen. The attacking midfielder arrived at Anfield for an initial £100 million that could rise to £116 million with add-ons, making his move a potential British record. However, speaking after impressing friendly win over Bilbao, the 22-year-old brushed off the size of his transfer fee. 'I don't think about it. I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn't matter,' he said. 'Of course the big challenge is to win the title again and it is the most difficult thing so (I will) try and just create chances and also work against the ball. 'I can also run a lot so (I will) bring this to the team and then with the ball I can make the team better and bring my teammates into better situations.' Germany international Wirtz said he was relishing the challenge. 'There are some differences to Germany but I think there is also something I can learn and make me better so I am really looking forward to it,' he said. 'It's more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me.' Big spenders: Liverpool have spent more than £250 million so far in the summer transfer window on a clutch of new players including Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, who also came from Leverkusen, and Giorgi Mamardashvili. The club are understood to have made a bid of around £110 million plus potential add-ons for unsettled Newcastle striker Alexander Isak last week, which was rejected. Manager Arne Slot said that there was 'always room for improvement' despite the club's march to a record-equalling 20th league title last season. Slot said in his programme notes that it had been a 'tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo's family, his wife, his children and friends'. 'We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward,' he wrote. 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.' Agencies
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
Florian Wirtz insists £100m price tag 'doesn't matter' as Liverpool ponder next Alexander Isak move
Liverpool's £100 million summer signing Florian Wirtz insists he pays no attention to his mammoth price tag as he looks to help the Premier League champions defend their crown this season. The German attacking midfielder moved to Merseyside from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could rise to a British transfer record-breaking £116m with add-ons. Wirtz scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists for Leverkusen last season having played a key role in the German's club's double winning campaign the campaign before. The 22-year-old is already Liverpool's most expensive signing eclipsing the previous best of £75m set by current club captain Virgil van Dijk when he joined from Southampton in January 2018. But even if he also ends up breaking English record, Wirtz is adamant that he will not be fazed by such pressures. "I don't think about it," he said I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn't matter," he said after Liverpool's 3-2 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao on Monday which saw Coady Gakpo score two and Mohamed Salah the other. "Of course the big challenge is to win the title again and it is the most difficult thing so [I will] try and just create chances and also work against the ball. "I can also run a lot so [I will] bring this to the team and then with the ball I can make the team better and bring my team-mates into better situations. "I came because I thought I could fit in this team and I am enjoying to play with these players and getting every time a little bit better so I am happy with how it is going." Wirtz will be playing outside the Bundesliga for the first time having risen through the youth system at Leverkusen where he would end up making 197 appearances, scoring 57 and assisting a further 65. He scored his first goal in Liverpool colours in their friendly win over Yokohama F. Marinos last week and hit the bar with a header in Monday's win over Bilbao. And Wirtz is now looking to forward to the challenge of adapting to rigours of Premier League football. "I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me because I have to respect the position and the players around me," he added. "I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball and to be dangerous and create chances - I have not played a match in the Premier League but I am looking forward and that is why I came. "There are some differences to Germany but I think there is also something I can learn and make me better so I am really looking forward to it. "It's more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me." Manager Arne Slot guided Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season and has been busy in the transfer market in a summer overshadowed by the death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota in a car accident. Apart from Wirtz, the Dutchman has also brought in the likes of left-back Milos Kerkez (£40m from Bournemouth), right-back Jeremie Frimpong (£40m from Leverkusen) and striker Hugo Ekitike (£79m from Eintracht Frankfurt). While Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all headed for the Anfield exit recouping around £115m. Uruguayan attacker Darwin Nunez has also been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. But the Merseysiders could make their biggest swoop yet if they continue their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, after having a bid of £110m turned down by the Magpies on Friday, who value the Sweden international at £150m. Isak missed Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia with the club citing a thigh injury until it eventually emerged that the 25-year-old was considering a move away from Tyneside. After training in Spain with former club Real Sociedad, Isak headed back to Tyneside on Monday morning for talks with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe as the rest of the squad returned from their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea. "He's like any other player, we would expect him to come in and train as normal," said Howe before flying back to the UK. "You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United. "The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here. "We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Goal is to win trophies and give everything: Ait-Nouri on joining City
Ahead of the Premier League 2025-26 season, Rayan Ait-Nouri reflected on joining Manchester City with pride and excitement. He discussed his playing style and experience, his eagerness to learn under Pep Guardiola, and shared his international career highlights alongside his ambitions to grow and win trophies with the club. Rayan expressed his pride and happiness after signing for Manchester City. 'To be honest, I'm very happy and proud. Playing for a club like Manchester City was one of my goals. I'm eager to wear this shirt and give my best. My family is also very happy - today is definitely a very special day,' he said on JioHotstar. 'It was definitely an easy decision. We all know the team - last year they proved to be the best in the world. The players are amazing, and the coach as well. It's a pleasure to train under Pep Guardiola. I'm here to learn and to show what I can do. I will give my best,' Rayan added. Reflecting on his style of play, Rayan said he is more of a technical player who likes to attack. 'First, I'm a technical player. But I also like to run for my teammates and the team. Every day, in training and in games, I try to give everything because working for the team is very important to me. With the ball, I enjoy attacking, crossing, and shooting. I like to defend as well. If I were to describe my football, I would say I'm a technical player. 'My experience in the Premier League will make it easier to settle. It's the same league, the same country, and I've been here in England for a long time. I know the league well. But of course, it's still a new challenge with amazing players and a top coach. I can't wait to train with the team and embrace this next step,' the defender added. On his excitement about working with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Rayan said, 'I'm very excited to work with him. For me, he's the best coach in the world. What he has achieved with this team is incredible. I want to learn from him and work hard alongside my teammates. Most importantly, I will give everything for this shirt. 'It will be incredible, as we all know the squad is top level. I've played against City before, and it was always tough because of the quality of their players. They're incredible. I'm definitely eager to learn from them in training and during games.' Before making the move to the Etihad Stadium, Rayan sought insight from a familiar face - Matheus Nunes, who had previously played alongside him during their time at Wolves. The two maintained regular contact, and Nunes offered the defender a glimpse into life at Manchester City. Indo-Asian News Service
