(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Son Heung-min behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and one other after £20m Tottenham exit

Rahul Lakhani

Rahul graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh in 2021. He has since worked for Planet Sport, Snack Media, GRV Media, Goalkeeper.com, Villarreal USA and more, covering football across the world. A La Liga specialist, Rahul is based between London and Valencia, and he joined Breaking Media in March 2025 for the company's club websites.

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Tottenham legend Son Heung-min recently departed after nearly a decade in North London, sealing his move to LAFC and the MLS.

Son finished his spell at Tottenham by helping end a 17-year trophy drought with the Europa League, and has now departed to spend the final few years of his career in the United States.

Tottenham also benefited from his exit, as they received a fee of around £20million, while also making a significant saving on Son's wages.

The winger's exit fee is a significant one, given his dip in form, wages and his age, and Spurs have arguably pulled off a masterstroke with this deal.

Son Heung-min in Tottenham training gear
Son left Tottenham in recent weeks (Credit: Imago)

Son ranks third in record fees for 33-year-olds

Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen as a 23-year-old for around £22m, and now departs as a 33-year-old with the club earning most of their initial transfer fee back.

This is a relatively large fee for someone of Son's age, and ranks third in the all-time list for players aged 33 or higher.

The only bigger transfers for players of Son's age or older involved greats of the game in Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.

PlayerAge Fee
Cristiano Ronaldo33£99.7m
Robert Lewandowski33£40.5m
Son Heung-min33£20m
Claudio Bravo33£17m
Record deals for players above 33
  • Lewandowski's move to Barcelona in 2022 came when he was 33, and he moved for around £40.5m, but he has kept his scoring form up even in his older age.
  • Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018 happened when he was 33, on the back of winning three consecutive Champions Leagues, and he takes the number one spot at just under £100m.

Given the company he is in, Son's move to LAFC is clearly a good deal for Tottenham, and it also shows the commercial value he will bring to MLS, and the South Korea legend has already impressed for his new side.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo moved to Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018 (Credit: Imago)

Tottenham need to replace Son

Tottenham need both speed and a goal threat to replace Son on the left side, and this could now come in the form of two players.

Spurs are in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinho, who would add speed and trickery but perhaps limited output for now.

Eberechi Eze could also join from Crystal Palace as a more proven option if Tottenham can beat their rivals, Arsenal, to his signature, and both players will aim to fill the void left by Son.

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