The Next MLS Superstar: Son Heung-Min Joins LAFC

There’s a new name to add to the list of international soccer stars who move to Major League Soccer in their 30s: South Korean forward Son Heung-Min.

LAFC announced Wednesday that they have acquired the 33-year-old star from Tottenham Hotspur via a permanent transfer. The deal runs through 2027 with options in both 2028 and 2029.

It’s not yet clear when Son will debut for the Black and Gold, whose next game is Saturday against the Chicago Fire in Los Angeles. The team’s announcement indicated that the forward will be eligible to play “upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.”

The exact financial details of the deal were not revealed. However, GiveMeSport was the first to report that LAFC will pay Tottenham a transfer fee worth $20 million to $26.5 million. If it falls in the higher end of that range, it would break the MLS record for a transfer fee set when Atlanta United paid $22 million to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough FC.

The Athletic reported Tuesday that the transfer fee is “in the neighborhood of $26.5 million.”

Son announced last week that he was leaving Tottenham after 10 years with the club. He was under contract until 2026 for about $10 million per year.

He led Spurs to the 2025 UEFA Europa League championship in May, breaking the club’s 17-year trophy drought. He played his final game for Spurs in the club’s friendly against Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday.

In 2023, Son reportedly received an offer from the Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad worth around $65 million (€60 million). He chose to stay in England.

Growing Influence of MLS

Son may not be as big a name as Lionel Messi, but his move is another sign of the growing influence of MLS. While the South Korean is on the back end of his career, he is still expected to be one of the sport’s top forwards for several years.

Messi moved to MLS in 2023 when he was 36 years old.

Reports have also indicated that one of the key reasons for Son’s move was the large population of South Koreans in Los Angeles. The city has the largest Korean population of any city in the U.S. Los Angeles is also the host of the 2026 men’s World Cup, and Son is the captain of the South Korean national team.

MLS has received some criticism for its exclusive media deal with Apple TV worth $2.5 billion over 10 years. Commissioner Don Garber told Front Office Sports during the Huddle in the Hamptons event Friday that he pushed back on criticism of the deal. 

“The media and pundits just don’t get it yet,” Garber said. “I’m not sure we are where we need to be, but I know that we’re going to have to get there soon.”