Son Heung-min Departs Tottenham in Emotional Farewell

Tears and Ovation Mark Final Match in South Korea

A decade of service culminated in an emotional send-off for Tottenham captain Son Heung-min in his native South Korea. Tears flowed as his teammates celebrated his departure after a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Seoul.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

In what marked a poignant farewell, the 33-year-old attacker played 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. The fixture at Seoul World Cup Stadium was secondary to the heartfelt goodbye, a day after Son announced his decision to leave the club this summer.

He received a thunderous ovation from the nearly 65,000 fans as he left the pitch, embracing teammates and even opponents. Early in the match, his colleagues sought opportunities for him, but Son did not significantly impact the game’s scoring.

The South Korean captain was substituted in the 65th minute by Mohammed Kudus. As he walked off, thousands chanted his name, and he visibly shed tears.

“I didn’t think I was going to cry at first. But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I’ve spent so much time with felt really tough. I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I’ve had an unforgettable day.”

—Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min‘s departure comes after a decade with Tottenham, during which he became a fan favorite and a key player. His impact on the Premier League is significant; he currently ranks as the 16th top scorer in the league’s history with 124 goals (Premier League).