The Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has revealed he intends to leave the club this summer after a decade in north London.
The 33-year-old attacker joined the Premier League side from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to play more than 450 times for Spurs. In May he lifted the Europa League trophy but he had a poor season overall by his high standards and struggled with injury.
“Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer,” the South Korean told reporters on Saturday in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour. “Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision.”
Son, who has scored 173 goals for Spurs, did not say where he intends to go next and cut an emotional figure. “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision,” he said, flanked by new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.
“I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time. I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man.”
Speaking in Korean, Son said that winning a European trophy – Tottenham’s first European crown in 41 years – played “a big part” in his thinking. “Winning a title in Europe felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could,” he said. “I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again.”
Frank, who joined Spurs from Brentford this summer, paid tribute to the South Korean skipper. “For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player,” said the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou.
“He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high.”
Spurs will face Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul, and Son is guaranteed a rapturous reception in front of his home fans. It could be Son’s final appearance for Spurs, despite the Uefa Super Cup fixture with Paris St Germain in Udine on 13 August.
Frank said: “It’s very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain. If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending.”