LAFC confirmed on Wednesday that Tottenham Hotspur legend Son Heung-Min has finalized his move to Los Angeles and MLS.
"Good afternoon everyone, what can I say? A dream come true. L.A., what a city," Son said at his introductory news conference in L.A. "Obviously, I just want to thank the ownership, [John Thorrington, co-president and general manager], Bennett [Rosenthal, lead managing owner], I mean, they've been absolutely working so hard to get me here and to join LAFC."
"I'm here, I'm more than happy, and so, so excited seeing all Korean fans outside there," he added.
Son Heung-min says he's 'here to win' after signing with LAFC
Son had suitors from around the globe after he decided to leave Spurs, and he said the decision to join LAFC initially wasn't obvious. He came around to the idea of moving to MLS after conversations with LAFC general manager John Thorrington, who sold Son on the 8-year-old club's ambition to be an international brand and the most successful club in North America.
"If I'm honest, it was not my first choice," Son said. "But (from the) first call when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind. He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be. Right now, I'm here. I'm more than happy."
Son's introductory news conference was attended by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, South Korea's consul general, several additional politicians, dozens of Korean journalists and dozens of drum-beating, singing fans from the LAFC supporters' group famous for its relentless, raucous noise during matches.
"I'm here to win, and I will perform," Son said at a packed news conference. "I will definitely show you something exciting ... are we calling it football or soccer? I will definitely show some exciting football, and we definitely will have success."
Sources told ESPN the deal is worth around $26 million, a record for MLS. That figure breaks the mark of $22 million Atlanta United FC spent last winter to acquire forward Emmanuel Latte Lath.
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His contract at Tottenham would have run through the summer of 2026, while his new deal at LAFC, where he will be a designated player, goes through 2027 and has options that could see it extended as long as 2029.
Son attended LAFC's Leagues Cup victory over Tigres UANL at Los Angeles' BMO Stadium Tuesday night, watching from a luxury suite.
The club showed Son on the stadium video board late in the first half as he waved to roaring fans thrilled by their team's landmark acquisition. The fans also celebrated LAFC's 2-1 win against Tigres, which was the team's only victory in the Leagues Cup.
Los Angeles has the world's largest ethnic Korean population outside Korea, with the city's vibrant Koreatown district sitting just a couple of miles from LAFC's BMO Stadium.
LAFC is undoubtedly hoping to market Son as a soccer counterpart to the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, albeit on a smaller scale.
Ohtani, the three-time MLB MVP from Japan who is on a trajectory to become the greatest Asian player in baseball history, draws fans from across the Pacific Rim to Dodger Stadium while attracting millions in sponsorships and partnerships for the Dodgers.
Son's move to California also puts him in a position to make an impact on and off the field at the World Cup, which will be held across North America in 2026. Son, the captain of his national team, has already said he will play in his fourth World Cup.
Son played his final game for Spurs on Sunday in Seoul in a friendly against Newcastle United, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Son was given a standing ovation and a guard of honor from both sets of players as he was substituted in the second half.
"It was a perfect moment. Sharing these beautiful moments are something that I will never forget and I will always appreciate it -- from the fans, the players and the gaffer. He understood my situation and was always on my side. He always listened to me and asked what I wanted to do. I have a huge respect and am very grateful," Son said after his last game with the Spurs.
Son was a beloved presence at Spurs, scoring 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances for the North London club while rising to global prominence with his combination of speed, playmaking skill and finishing acumen.
Son will be reunited in L.A. with longtime Tottenham teammate Lloris, who has been outstanding since becoming LAFC's goalkeeper last season.
ESPN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.