Son Heung-min openly admitted Los Angeles FC were not his first choice destination after deciding to bring his 10-year chapter at Tottenham to an emotional close.
The 33-year-old was officially unveiled by his new side on Wednesday after completing a move worth over £20million – a record fee paid by an MLS club.
It was no secret that he was on his way this summer, and he was spotted in the stands during LAFC’s 2-1 win against Tigres the day before the announcement.
Speaking at his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, South Korean legend Son revealed he had to be persuaded to make the move to the United States, before a conversation led to him ‘changing his heart’ and signing an initial two-year deal.
‘They’ve been absolutely working so hard to get me here to join LAFC,’ Son said.
‘If I’m honest, it was not my first choice but John [Thorrington, LAFC general manager] was the first call when the season finished and John changed my mind.
Son Heung-min admitted Los Angeles FC were not his first-choice destination
Son was officially unveiled in a press conference after a £20m move from Tottenham
The South Korean legend departed Spurs after his emotional final match in Seoul
‘He changed my heart.
‘I’m so happy to see all the Korean fans, I was at the game and I saw you supporting like crazy and I wanted to run on the pitch and show my performance.
‘I’m here to win and I will perform.
‘I will definitely show you something exciting in… are we calling it football or soccer? I will definitely show you some exciting football, and we will have success.’
Son went on to describe the impact his decision to leave Spurs took, recalling feeling ‘very empty’ after walking away from the club for which he scored 173 goals.
‘I felt like I gave it all, but I felt like I needed a new challenge and I chose LAFC,’ he added. ‘I’m old, but I still have good physicality and I still have good quality.’
Earlier, a teary Son had issued a heartfelt message to Tottenham supporters.
‘How to find the right words for this? I don’t know. I have been thinking for days. It’s impossible. But here I go,’ Son wrote.
Son scored 173 goals during his decade-long stay at Spurs and became a club great
He was spotted in the stands with Bennett Rosenthal during LAFC’s win over Tigres
Son broke into tears when he announced his decision to leave Spurs
After signing his contract, he promised LAFC supporters ‘exciting football’ and ‘success’
‘It’s time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham. My home for the past decade. When I arrived in 2015, I didn’t speak English, I didn’t know London, but you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me, and stood by me through every high and low.
‘I was just a boy from Korea with big dreams who was supposed to have no chance. And now, 10 years later, North London is in my heart forever.
‘I’ve made friends for life here, had the honour of becoming a godfather here, and had the privilege of captaining our special club here. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this club, which makes this the hardest decision ever.
‘I thought if I was ever going to leave, it would have to be on my terms, on the best terms, when our mission had been accomplished together.
‘With pride and honour.’
Son will reunite with former Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.
The Los Angeles side topped the Western Conference last season, but lost to Seattle Sounders in the playoffs before LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup.
