LAFC has announced the signing of Son Heung-min, a South Korean football icon who captained Tottenham Hotspur for over 10 years. His arrival in MLS marks a historic $26.5 million transfer to the league.
While Son Heung-min’s $26.5 million transfer may seem modest by European football standards, it marks a record-breaking investment for Major League Soccer, a league known for its strict financial controls.
Previously, the most expensive signings in MLS history included Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martínez, both acquired by Atlanta United for around $15 million from Argentina.
Other high-profile deals include Thiago Almada for $16 million, Brenner for $13 million, and Miguel Almirón for $8.5 million, also by Atlanta United. In this context, Son’s arrival not only sets a new financial benchmark but also signals MLS’s growing ambition to attract elite-level global talent.
All signs point to MLS continuing to attract high-profile professional footballers, with growing interest in expanding the global influence of both LAFC and the league through the addition of the Korean star.
The 33-year-old forward signed a two-year contract with LAFC, with options to extend in 2028 and 2029. According to the official MLS website, Son will occupy both a Designated Player spot and an international roster slot.
The amount paid for the current captain of the South Korean national team makes him the most expensive signing in MLS history.
Background
Before playing for Premier League side Tottenham, he played for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany’s Bundesliga, after being acquired from Hamburg. Before his move to Europe, he came up through the youth ranks of FC Seoul and Hupyeong Middle School in his native South Korea.
The player said that his decision to move to Los Angeles, California, and play for LAFC was influenced by the large Korean community living in the city, and he hopes his fellow countrymen will support him and his new team.
Son Heung-Min Introductory Press Conference https://t.co/i9PKM5ASax
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025
