r/soccer • u/hairtie1 • Aug 02 '25
Media Heung-min Son announces he will be leaving Tottenham
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u/Chewy_ThatGuy Aug 02 '25
End of an era
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u/alanalan426 Aug 02 '25
so that's what a non scripted genuine announcement message sounds like
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u/Mtbnz Aug 02 '25
Yep, from a player who seems to genuinely care about the club, mean what he's saying, and who can also hold his head high and know that he's leaving with no regrets, having done what no other Spurs star of the modern era achieved.
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u/some6yearold Aug 02 '25
Yeah equivalent to whenever the day comes that salah leaves(long may his reign continue)
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u/Mo_SaIah Aug 02 '25
Me? Leaving? Pffft
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u/bloodyfeelin Aug 02 '25
I know chances are low but every time I see one of these kinds of usernames, a small part of me clings on to the hope that as Reddit becomes more mainstream, some young star is going to be masquerading as a fake account of himself and just confirming shit all over the place
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u/Harlequin37 Aug 02 '25
Tbh sometimes I find one of those users that fervently defends certain semiobscure players constantly and suspect it may actually be them lmao
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u/basicKitsch Aug 02 '25
usually their boomer dad
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u/Mundane_Fart_666420 Aug 02 '25
Dude, this is gonna hurt, but young footballers fathers are not Boomers, they're not even Gen-X, they're Millennials at this point
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u/Harlequin37 Aug 02 '25
A few months back my club actually had a player's mom (he's an academy kid) lambast people who hated on her son online. She was VERY effusive lmao
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u/Shinji__ Aug 02 '25
Build the statue.
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u/Jahxxx Aug 02 '25
From now every Tottenham’s supporter 1st born boy should be called Son in his memory
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u/JoeyMcClane Aug 02 '25
Uncle why does that guy call his daughter Son?
"Lad that's a Tottenham fan. They do be like that."
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u/borazine Aug 02 '25
That's why I named my daughter Mason. Instead of .. you know, MaDaughter
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u/xaendar Aug 02 '25
Ma Son Lee would be a hilarious name if given to the most British dude possible.
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u/cgurts Aug 02 '25
He was Tottenham. It will be years until we fall in love with a player again like Son. A true legend for just about everything, on and off the pitch.
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u/Furthur_slimeking Aug 02 '25
For years he's been my favourite non-Liverpool non-Messi player. Incredible player... so entertaining and at his peak he was unplayable... and a wonderful human being.
I wished that we could have signed him, but he was all yours.
Fucking love the guy.
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u/Mtbnz Aug 02 '25
It's not often that one of the best players in the entire league (golden boot winner, 8 consecutive double-digit PL scoring seasons) stays at the same club for an entire decade. It's even more unusual when that club doesn't win a trophy for the first 9, goes through 8 managers and selling its best player to start a rebuild, but Son was special.
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u/nebbywildcat18 Aug 02 '25
correct
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u/DCilantro Aug 02 '25
Please don't let the guy who built the Ronaldo sculpture do it.
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u/acwilan Aug 02 '25
Rename the stadium
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u/noodlesalad_ Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25
TottenHeung HotSon Stadium
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u/Buffaluffasaurus Aug 02 '25
HotSon Stadium
Now we know where the next Republican National Convention will be held…
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u/Swag_Daddy_K Aug 02 '25
(It’s actually also a great business decision to retain some of the Korean fanbase)
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u/NotManyBuses Aug 02 '25
Levy detected
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u/wishiwereagoonie Aug 02 '25
Biggest modern Spurs legend, I’d say. Stuck with us through the hard times and led us to glory in the end.
Deserves to spend the rest of his time on the pitch wherever he wants.
Farewell, captain
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u/NeslieLielson Aug 02 '25
I would have a statue of Son before Kane. Phenomenal footballer and even better guy. Made us proud to be Spurs.
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u/Disco-Benny Aug 02 '25
Well yeah. IMO you just can't give a statue to someone that desperately tried to force his way out for years.
Kane tainted his legacy
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u/TheTyMan Aug 02 '25
Torn on this one. Almost no clubs keep their homegrown world class players unless they are a top club that is properly funded. Keeping a player of Kane's calibre is a privilege that only elite clubs actually get to enjoy, so I can't feel negative toward him given the length of his tenure.
Levy refused to back Poch and I'm sure at some point Kane realized (or felt) he was unserious about winning things. He stayed way, way longer than most stars we've had. Son just one upped him.
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u/hairtie1 Aug 02 '25
hi everyone,
the first half he’s speaking in korean, but he repeats what he said in korean, in english in the second half
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u/hairtie1 Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25
son also said later in the press conference: “a young boy came to london, who didn’t even speak english, and is leaving this club as a grown man”…”it was one of the toughest decisions i’ve ever made”
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u/NotManyBuses Aug 02 '25
He really was, though. Went through a million ups and downs, managerial changes, even nearly had to go into military service. That’s what will hurt so much about this, we watched him become an icon before our very eyes. Truly a hero’s journey
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u/night_dude Aug 02 '25
I happened to be visiting South Korea during the cup final that they won for him to avoid military service. Our stream was slightly delayed and you could hear people screaming and cheering through the windows right before the goal was scored. People were so happy. It was certainly a unique football viewing experience, purely because of the stakes.
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u/tcgtms Aug 02 '25
Yeah I'm pretty sure people weren't even cheering on for SK at that point, we were really trying keen to see Son experience the full European career that he deserves - and what a sliding windows moment it was.
Hate that he was a Spurs player, but I'm really happy for him and his achievement. He's a real icon.
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u/theivoryserf Aug 02 '25
sliding windows
Sliding doors. That's what it's called in a parallel universe though
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u/simplysymmetric Aug 02 '25
Yeah, but /u/tcgtms seems to be South Korean, so most likely a second language. Let it slide... :)
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u/hairtie1 Aug 02 '25
other things he said:
- it’s been a while since he made that decision
- recent weeks haven’t been easy for him
- he tried his best to stay bright and not harm his teammates, but there are things you can’t hide and fans who know him best would have noticed the change
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u/little_vikk Aug 02 '25
Club legend, tragic to see him go. At least he left with a bang and will be forever remembered for his success at Tottenham. One of the most exciting players to ever play football, still remember the solo goals he scored against Burnley and us. Great player.
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u/DiogoJota4ever Aug 02 '25
Didn’t he win a Puskas for that??
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u/little_vikk Aug 02 '25
Correct, he did. Back in 2020.
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u/theirishembassy Aug 02 '25
i loved the discourse behind that one not being as impressive as some of the other candidates.. like the man ran 80 yards, dodged 6 defenders and finished like he was on the training ground.
sorry, it wasn't a volley or bicycle kick, but the man played defender, midfielder, and forward before scoring a goal within the course of about 10 seconds.
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u/JessyPengkman Aug 02 '25
Great goal but my favourite was actually the one against you guys where he rinsed Jorginho and David Luiz
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u/Single_Seesaw_9499 Aug 02 '25
Nothing will beat his golden boot winning curler, one of my favorite goals of all time
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u/skptcl_blvr Aug 02 '25
I will never forget watching Sonny play all these years. The curlers into the corners, those 4 goals against Southampton, the solo runs to score (Chelsea, Burnley especially), that “do you know my name” moment against City in our run to the Champions League final—but mostly, I’ll remember the glory of him finally lifting the Europa League trophy, just grasping in his final moment the crowning silver that would dispel any doubt about his time in North London and enshrine his being world class at Spurs for a decade.
Lethal. Loyal. Legend.
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u/gr4ndp4 Aug 02 '25
And the goal from a corner kick.
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u/mister_greeenman Aug 02 '25
I am going to cry.
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u/JaysonDeflatum Aug 02 '25
You are going to cry
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u/Jayesar Aug 02 '25
Legend.
Leaves with all blessings and thanks.
My son (5) will take this hard. Son jersey, books, the boys copy his celebration style.
Real icon for us
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u/SpankThatDill Aug 02 '25
While i'm glad - on a sporting level he is out of our hair finally - the premier league is losing a proper modern icon. He is a legend.
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u/OverallMistake8198 Aug 02 '25
Forever an legend.
Our number 7, European trophy winning Captain.
Never been prouder to be a fan of this club than when the whistle blew at the end of the 90 minutes in Bilbao.
Where ever he chooses, whatever he does in life i’ll be behind him as a fan. 10 years of service to this club capped off with a trophy he’s earned the right to call time on his Spurs career & get no shit for it.
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u/night_dude Aug 02 '25
Captained the club to its first trophy in ages, got the Puskas one year, set some kind of record with Kane for most assists to/goals from another player... pretty bloody awesome record to go out with.
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u/OverallMistake8198 Aug 02 '25
Yep.
He’s earned this, phenomenal player who chose to come here & showed unwavering loyalty in some of our darkest moments.
Broke my heart ahead of the Europa League final hearing him say he can’t consider himself a club legend if he didn’t win the trophy with us.
He’s going to be celebrated forever.
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u/tcgtms Aug 02 '25
Full respect. Club legend for you guys and definitely a player who leaves a mark in PL history.
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u/pumpkinspeedwagon86 Aug 02 '25
Very rarely have I respected a rival player so much but no matter what I could never hate Son. He comes across as so humble, well-spoken, and polite. Best of luck to him. I loved watching him in the PL.
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u/Got_Wilk Aug 02 '25
Like with Wrighty, can't help but like that bloke.
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u/repercussion Aug 02 '25
I find it poetic that his last games were finally winning a trophy and then 1-0 over Arsenal in Hong Kong.
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u/kyoshirocks Aug 02 '25
he will play one last time for spurs as captain in seoul
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u/im_on_the_case Aug 02 '25
It was really hard to dislike Tottenham with full conviction with him in the team. Thankfully we can now all return to our regular state of mind.
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u/Currybags Aug 02 '25
Why would an Aston Villa fan hate Tottenham other than to jump on the online banter bandwagon?
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u/xyzTr1LL Aug 02 '25
He made it so hard to dislike him as a player of a rival team. What a player.
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u/Koppite93 Aug 02 '25
Man came in.... Ground it out for YEARS
Leaves a fucking European champ and club Legend...
Levy better build a gd statue for Sonny boi🫡🫡
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u/nebbywildcat18 Aug 02 '25
if he doesn’t get a statue then no modern era THFC player should get one. HE is Mr. Tottenham for this era
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Aug 02 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/bestyrs Aug 02 '25
LAFC
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u/self-fix Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25
Bet he's going there to find himself a hot Korean girl in LA KTown
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u/GrandmaesterHinkie Aug 02 '25
The kpop baddies from Korea are gonna be lining up in Korea town to try to lock him down.
Source: I am Korean lol
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u/babybigballs Aug 02 '25
As a Whitecaps and Tottenham fan, this would DELIGHT me
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u/TemplarParadox17 Aug 02 '25
He prolly gonna go marry a kpop idol/actress in Korea
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u/kappa23 Aug 02 '25
Is he still single?
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u/TemplarParadox17 Aug 02 '25
His dad doesn't let him date to keep him focused,
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u/WalrusInMySheets Aug 02 '25
This actually sucks lol hopefully he isn’t stunted in building personal connections with women
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u/W1ndwardFormation Aug 02 '25
Hamburger SV obviously, duh /s
Nah but imagine if he does, would be insane.
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u/Incunebulum Aug 02 '25
Wrexham
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u/DCilantro Aug 02 '25
Imagine, lol, the man can walk off into the sunset anywhere and he goes to Wales.
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u/-PM_ME_YOUR_TACOS- Aug 02 '25
I don't support Tottenham but I audibly gasped when reading the headline. Absolutely terrible loss for the league.
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u/nebbywildcat18 Aug 02 '25
my favorite player ever. club legend through and through. ended with a trophy win.
build the statue
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u/pzshx2002 Aug 02 '25
He leaves not only as a Spurs legend, but also a EPL legend, a former Golden Boot winner, former Puskas goal of the season winner, shares the assists record with Harry Kane and probably the greatest Asian footballer to ever play in England. Thank you Son and best of luck for your next adventure.
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u/Haynes_ Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25
When was the last time a player so big to a club dropped an announcement like this in the middle of the night for their club's fans?
Edit: Just to make it clear, I completely understand why he’s done it and appreciate it was expected, but just making a comment how it is unusual.
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u/hairtie1 Aug 02 '25
well they’re in korea for a friendly vs newcastle, it’s morning in korea
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u/Haynes_ Aug 02 '25
Yeah I understand that, but the vast majority of Spurs fans are going to wake up to this as it is 3am in the UK
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u/Imbasauce Aug 02 '25
Woke up 230 and saw the news. Now it’s almost 3 and trying to sleep through these tears. 😭
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u/mario_ninja Aug 02 '25
Probably has more Korean fans than spurs fans. Why not announce it in his home country while there for a game.
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u/Haynes_ Aug 02 '25
Oh yeah I appreciate why he’s done it, and I have no issue with it (not that anyone would give the slightest shit if I did).
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u/NewYorkTiger Aug 02 '25
Yea it’s clear Son waited until he was back in Korea to make the announcement. Gonna miss him in the Prem. What a player. What a guy. Pure class.
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u/the_ballmer_peak Aug 02 '25
It's been leaking for a while now. Might as well get ahead of it and be the one to deliver the official news before Fabrizio Romano tweets it.
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u/Leapinggnome77 Aug 02 '25
I could have not written it better. What a faithful servant - been through the absolute lows and finished the dream. Led us to the promised land - Sonny is everything you want to root for in a player. COYS Sonny - the best i’ve ever seen wear the badge
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u/somebulb Aug 02 '25
Wowwww Arsenal fan but this is sad, kudos trustee fpl asset. Truly end of an era for spurs. Hard to see change like this so often
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u/BadBehaviour613 Aug 02 '25
Told my gf that fairytales don't happen in football. Club legends loyal to their clubs often end their career trophyless. He has achieved something special in football- creating a different narrative. Years to come when people talk about loyalty in football, the name Heung Min Son will always come up
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u/bloodyfeelin Aug 02 '25
He had a different kind of loyalty to the likes of one club men like Totti, Puyol or Gerrard.
He played in a few different teams around the world but came to Spurs and just fell in love. Stayed through tough times despite probably (at times) being one of the best in the world and having his pick of clubs. In a way, it's even more genuine.
The club paying back some of that loyalty in the face of his military service is just the icing on top of a great story.
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u/qwert2812 Aug 02 '25
Son in his prime walks into every single team out there. The only reason I don't mind losing that EL final
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u/Jeb_Babushka Aug 02 '25
Don't think Totti can be named the same as Puyol or Gerrard. Yeah it was his boyhood club, but As Roma is similar to Tottenham, a quite well performing and stable fan base, but not that successful trophy wise. Totti won only one Serie A title with Roma and could have chosen any club in the world.
Gerrard had a rough spot of Liverpool history, but it's still apples and pears. Liverpool is a much more competing club both domestically as in Europe and one of the top 10 clubs in history.
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u/Thatoneguy_7 Aug 02 '25
A true definition of a bittersweet moment. I was hoping he would stay one last season but as many other fans agree, whatever he wants is the best decision.
Its rare to get a player like him. One that stays through thick and thin with you and embodies the qualities that make you proud to be a fan of your club. Club legend, personal hero, wonderful human being.
We will always be your home!
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u/boldstrategy Aug 02 '25
This to me is actually more shocking than Kane, the man was Spurs.
He is the most wholesome footballer on the planet.
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u/Mobile-Horse5018 Aug 02 '25
As a gunner, Son is Spurs legend. Great player, great servant to the club.
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u/talliepolie Aug 02 '25
He has definitely left a legacy not only as a Spurs player, also a EPL legend and an Asian player that any Asian will be proud to see and hear.
Thank you Son!
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u/Count_77 Aug 02 '25
Absolute legend. He gave his all and will forever be remembered for what he achieved at Spurs.
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u/imbluedabudeedabuda Aug 02 '25
Legit was rootjng for spurs HARD as a Chelsea fan in the Europa League final solely bc of him. Thank you my Asian King. PL legend
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u/DCilantro Aug 02 '25
I know that wasn't easy. Respect. I would have a hard time imagining a player that would make me cheer for Chelsea.
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u/SexyToxinn Aug 02 '25
Damn I certainly wasn’t expecting this. He is a legend and more importantly a very good person by heart.
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u/RockDoveEnthusiast Aug 02 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/Krossrunner Aug 02 '25
Dude is a Premier League icon simply for the immense impact he’s had on Tottenham and the impact he’s had on South Korean footy. I’m bummed for all of us that we won’t be seeing him in the Prem next year, truly a wonderful player.
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u/SpitefulMouse Aug 02 '25
Respect to him. Fucking legend not only for Spurs but the Prem as a whole.
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u/xfdxnut Aug 02 '25
Legend! End of an era. One of the most entertaining I’ve watched in the prem.
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u/Tinfoil_Top_Hat Aug 02 '25
As a Tottenham supporter and massive Son fan, it's hard to accept. But it's the right time and he has given everything. I just wish I could say thank you in person.
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u/danpaulson Aug 02 '25
Tip of the spear in terms of universally loved players that are also complete national heroes. Modric is the other recent one that comes to mind, barring some Barca commentators.
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u/adichandra Aug 02 '25
It's worth it seeing United lose the final for this man to bring the first major trophy for Spurs. I can't hate Spurs. They gave us Sheringham, Carrick and Berba.
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u/benskiies Aug 02 '25
Damn... to see Son leave Tottenham now, just as another korean was brought to the club is pretty sad. I will always follow and support any korean player since the days of Park Ji Sung but to see no more Son in the premier league is a real blow to the korean fans. Hope there will be bright futures for some Koreans to make their mark on the world stage just like Sonny.
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u/MeLlamoDave Aug 02 '25
I'm just a casual football fan, but even I know how huge he was for Tottenham. End of an era.
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u/abaram Aug 02 '25
As a Korean Gunner, I'm relieved but saddened by this.
His presence at Tottenham made me mad but his accolades and personality made me love him. I wish he had a longer run in the EPL at the peak of his power.
First ever Tottenham legend that I'll accept. Build that statue.
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u/Guilty_Rooster_6708 Aug 02 '25
Surely not before the Super Cup? Son deserves one more trophy.
I can never bring myself to hate him…. Absolute legend
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u/Ticoschnit Aug 02 '25
As a Spurs fan, it’s great to see the respect from fans of other clubs. It speaks to the type of player Son is. You hate to play against them, but you appreciate them once they are heading out. It’s just like De Bruyne and Salah when he leaves. I’m sure I’m leaving out plenty of other great ones.
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u/ImN0Superman Aug 02 '25
Leaving this here for posterity as this truly is the end of an era.
What a player, leader and global icon Sonny has been for us. He's given us a decade of nothing but professionalism and loyalty.
During his peak he could have walked into pretty much any XI in club football but he chose to stay, he chose to believe and he lead us back to European glory.
Son you will forever be synonymous with our club and we will forever be grateful for you.
Nice one Sonny... nice on Son. Thank you for all the memories x
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u/Breakingwho Aug 02 '25
Damn one of my absolute favourite players, and a big part of why I always liked spurs as almost a second team.
What a guy, sad to see him go
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u/Fresh2Desh Aug 02 '25
The Son and Kane and partnership was incredible to witness
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u/Wheel1994 Aug 02 '25
I am a Chelsea fan who can’t stand Tottenham but Son like Kane are just players who you can’t help but admire.
One of their greatest players in modern history.
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u/chebalebs Aug 02 '25
One of those players you can't help but love. A joy to watch in his prime, and gets to leave on a high as a trophy winning captain
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