Former Tottenham participant and captain Son Heung-min reacts forward of the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Slavia Praha in London, Britain, Dec. 9. EPA-Yonhap
4 months after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min lastly had an opportunity to bid a correct goodbye to North London trustworthy in his previous stomping floor, as he delivered an emotional speech earlier than his previous membership’s victory.
Decked out in a grey coat and a black muffler, Son entered the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to a rousing ovation earlier than the membership’s UEFA Champions League match towards SK Slavia Praha on Tuesday (native time).
It was Son’s first look on the stadium since he accomplished a transfer to Los Angeles Soccer Membership (LAFC) within the Main League Soccer in August. Son performed his remaining match in a Spurs shirt earlier that month in Seoul, a summer season exhibition towards Newcastle United, and left straight for Los Angeles afterward to start a brand new chapter in his profession.
Son, 33, spent 10 years with Spurs after arriving from the German membership Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He gained the Premier League Golden Boot as the highest scorer within the 2021-2022 season with 23 targets and captained Tottenham to the UEFA Europa League title in Might this 12 months for his or her first trophy in 17 years.
Son is fifth on the all-time Tottenham scoring record with 173 targets in 454 matches.
With a mic in his hand, Son took a number of moments to collect himself as followers stored cheering and at last greeted them, “It is Sonny right here.”
“I hope you guys remember me right here,” he stated, his voice cracking. “It has been a tremendous 10 years, guys. It has been an unbelievable 10 years. I simply need to say thanks. I can be all the time Spurs and I’ll all the time be with you. This may all the time be my residence. I’ll always remember you.”
Son later acquired a commemorative golden cockerel from membership legend Ledley King and blew kisses towards the stands earlier than leaving the stadium.
Son’s previous workforce went out and defeated SK Slavia Praha 3-0.
Additionally on Tuesday, Tottenham unveiled a road mural in honor of Son on Tottenham Excessive Street, the thoroughfare to the stadium. It depicts Son’s signature objective celebration, along with his thumbs and index fingers forming the form of a digital camera, and in addition reveals the ex-Tottenham captain hoisting the Europa League trophy whereas draped within the Korean nationwide flag. Additionally gracing the mural are the phrases, “Sonny, Spurs Legend.”
“It is a particular feeling. I’m actually, actually grateful to be there on the wall. Thanks for this superb artwork,” Son stated in a clip posted on Tottenham’s social media. “I hope folks keep in mind me as a superb human being and in addition as a superb participant.”
