After a decade of dazzling Premier League defenders, captain Son Heung-min has left Tottenham for LAFC.
The 33-year-old South Korean ahead departs as a real Spurs icon, having scored 173 targets in 454 appearances, claimed the Premier League Golden Boot, and, most not too long ago, lifted the Europa League as captain – ending the membership’s 17-year watch for silverware.
His time in North London has been outlined not solely by his exceptional consistency however by moments of sheer brilliance that stay lengthy within the reminiscence of the Spurs devoted.
As Son prepares for a brand new problem in Los Angeles alongside former team-mate Hugo Lloris, we glance again at 5 of the best targets of his Tottenham profession.
1. The Puskas Award Winner
Tottenham 5-0 Burnley – Premier League, December 7, 2019
It’s unattainable to speak about Son with out beginning right here.
This was the aim that gained him the 2020 Puskas Award and can eternally be etched in Premier League folklore.
After receiving the ball on the sting of his personal penalty space, Son turned and drove ahead.
Burnley gamers converged on the speedster, however one after the other they fell away as he sprinted nearly 70 yards with the ball at his toes.
With simply the goalkeeper to beat, he slotted into the nook – and nonetheless had the vitality left to wheel off and have a good time.
This was the quintessential Son aim: lightning tempo, fearless dribbling, and a cool end on the finish of all of it.
The gang rose to its toes in disbelief, Jose Mourinho appeared on smiling in awe, and even opposition followers applauded.
2. Stepping up on the most important stage
Manchester Metropolis 4-3 Tottenham – Champions League Quarter-Closing, April 17, 2019
Few targets carry as a lot weight in Tottenham’s trendy historical past as Son’s first strike on that unforgettable night time on the Etihad.
In a chaotic opening 10 minutes that noticed 4 targets scored, Son’s cool composure stood out, because it all the time has finished.
After chopping inside from the left, he unleashed a superbly struck curling effort that sailed into the far nook past Ederson.
It was his second aim of the night time, following up an earlier strike that levelled the tie.
These targets in the end proved to be extremely vital as Spurs progressed on away targets to achieve the semi-finals for the primary time of their historical past.
Within the warmth of a nerve-shredding Champions League tie, Son’s willingness to take accountability was simply one more reason for followers to fall in love with him.
These targets not solely despatched Spurs on their technique to the ultimate later that season however cemented his fame as a big-game participant.
3. Wondergoal at Wembley
Tottenham 3-1 Chelsea – Premier League, November 24, 2018
Tottenham have typically struggled towards Chelsea however that modified in 2018, thanks partly to Son’s beautiful solo effort.
Selecting up the ball on the suitable wing, he drove at Chelsea’s defence, reduce inside, and positioned a easy end previous Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The standard of the aim is why it’s remembered so fondly at Spurs – in addition to the truth that it was towards Chelsea, however it as soon as once more proved Son’s world-class skills.
That strike additionally embodied Son’s directness – the type of relentless attacking mentality that gave Tottenham a innovative throughout Mauricio Pochettino’s peak years.
4. The Rocket towards Arsenal
Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal – Premier League, December 6, 2020
If there may be one factor assured to make you a hero at Spurs, it’s scoring towards Arsenal.
Son has finished it a number of instances, however his aim within the behind-closed-doors North London derby of 2020 stands above the remaining.
Capitalising on a mistake from Sead Kolasinac, Son despatched a surprising curling effort from distance over Bernd Leno.
It was completely executed in a high-pressure recreation and got here at a time when Spurs wanted a spark to show their season round.
That aim was as a lot about composure because it was about ability – an indicator of Son’s recreation. Even with out the roar of a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followers watching at dwelling erupted in delight.
5. Wembley once more
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund – Champions League Spherical of 16, February 13, 2019
The primary leg of this Champions League tie was hanging within the stability till Son, as so typically, delivered.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Jan Vertonghen’s excellent cross discovered Son on the again publish.
Timing his run to perfection, he lashed dwelling a first-time volley that despatched Spurs on their technique to a snug 3-0 win.
It wasn’t probably the most spectacular aim on this record, however it symbolised one thing deeper: Son’s sense of event.
In a good contest, he produced the breakthrough, displaying that uncommon capacity to be decisive in Europe’s greatest competitions. Spurs went on to achieve the ultimate that season, one thing that may not have been achieved with out their No.7.
An immortal legacy
As Tottenham put together to bid farewell, Son’s affect goes far past these 5 iconic strikes. Over ten years, he has given the membership unforgettable reminiscences.
173 targets and 101 assists throughout all competitions, whereas changing into the primary Asian participant to win the Premier League Golden Boot
A historic Europa League triumph as captain, ending a 17-year trophy drought.
And a spot within the report books for probably the most mixed targets with Harry Kane in Premier League historical past, rating them because the deadliest duo ever seen in England.
However maybe Son’s biggest contribution lies in his character. At all times smiling, all the time humble, he has been a beacon of professionalism and sportsmanship.
Whether or not scoring a surprise aim at Turf Moor or consoling a distraught opponent after an harm, Son epitomised the values that made him universally revered.
As he prepares to swap North London for a new challenge in Los Angeles, Son leaves behind a legacy few gamers can match.
From the shy younger ahead who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, to the worldwide famous person who captained Spurs to silverware in 2025, his journey has been one in every of development, resilience, and magic.
Tottenham followers will hope that his farewell recreation, prone to be in Seoul towards Newcastle, gives one closing second of brilliance. No matter occurs, his identify will stay eternally within the membership’s historical past.
