Son Heung-min Set To Join LAFC In MLS In Record $26m Deal

South Korean football star Son Heung-min has yet to be officially announced as a new signing for Los Angeles FC, but excitement is already building among fans eager to welcome him to Major League Soccer.

According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, Son—who departed Tottenham Hotspur last weekend—is expected to join LAFC for a record-setting MLS transfer fee of $26 million.

On Tuesday night, LAFC announced a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), teasing a “major announcement” that is widely believed to be the unveiling of Son.

Following media speculation about Son’s potential arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, a group of about 40 enthusiastic fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the star or securing a photo or autograph.

They were ultimately unsuccessful, as Son had only just received a sendoff in South Korea a few hours earlier.

“Son is immensely important to me. I used to wake up at five or six in the morning to watch him play in England,” said 19-year-old fan Jun Kwon, speaking to AFP.

“He’s going to change things here. My father and I, who had no interest in MLS, are already won over.”

Kwon was wearing a gold and black LAFC jersey printed with Son’s name—one he had purchased just that morning.

Over his 10-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Son tallied an impressive 173 goals in 454 appearances.

The winger officially confirmed his departure from Spurs in Seoul last weekend, shortly after playing his final match for the Premier League side.

At LAFC, Son is set to fill the void left by French striker Olivier Giroud, who was transferred to Lille in July. He will also reunite with former Tottenham teammate and French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who currently plays for the Los Angeles club.

(AFP)