After a decade of dazzling fans in north London, Son Heung-min has officially bid farewell to Tottenham Hotspur, closing a remarkable chapter in the club’s modern history. From wonder goals to heartwarming gestures, from the Bundesliga to becoming a Premier League Golden Boot winner, Son's legacy at Spurs is nothing short of extraordinary.

Kevin Wimmer, a former Spurs teammate and close friend, summed it up perfectly:

“I’m not sure we’ll see another Sonny at Tottenham. To stay at a club like Spurs for 10 years in today’s football world is a very special achievement.”

Arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a then-record fee for an Asian player, reported at £22.5 million, Son was just 23 years old. Now 33, he departs after 454 appearances, 173 goals, and having finally lifted a major trophy in Spurs colours—the Europa League, ending the club’s 17-year silverware drought.

Son’s journey was far from straightforward. Having initially turned down Mauricio Pochettino’s offer to join him at Southampton in 2013, he eventually teamed up with the Argentine at Spurs two years later. But the early days were difficult. He struggled to adapt, even asking to leave less than a year into his contract.

He stayed—and thrived.

From his blistering pace to sublime finishes, fans will never forget moments like his 2019 solo goal against Burnley, which earned him the FIFA Puskás Award. Sprinting from his own penalty area, dodging tackles before coolly beating Nick Pope, the goal symbolised everything that made Son unique on the pitch.

Off the pitch, he won hearts with gestures of humility and kindness. During the club’s pre-season tour of South Korea in 2022, he paid for a full Korean barbecue dinner for the squad and handed out personalised gifts to all travelling staff. “Sonny will always be worshipped in these parts,” said Spurs legend Micky Hazard.

Son’s time in north London was filled with emotional highs and lows. Alongside his Europa League triumph, he shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah in the 2021–22 season. He’s also a four-time Premier League Player of the Month, two-time Goal of the Month winner, and a three-time Tottenham Player of the Year.

But there were heartbreaks too—defeat to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League Final, and another missed opportunity in the 2021 EFL Cup Final against Manchester City. There was also the distressing incident with Andre Gomes in 2019, when Son’s challenge led to a serious injury for the Everton midfielder.

Yet through it all, Son’s character shone. After a League Cup win over West Ham in 2021, he handed his shirt to a young pitch invader, comforting the boy before stewards led him away.

Son is more than just a footballer in South Korea—he is a national icon. From being one of the top three most recognisable public figures in the country, alongside BTS and Blackpink, to appearing on television shows, buses, and billboards, his influence stretches far beyond football.

“South Korean people consider him a national treasure,” says journalist Sungmo Lee.

Son’s homecoming moments are legendary. During Spurs' 2022 tour, he greeted his teammates at Incheon Airport with a “Welcome to Seoul” sign, sparking scenes akin to a K-pop concert.

Former Spurs right-back Kyle Walker recalled:

“We needed decoy vehicles to escape the fans. I’ve seen Rooney, Lampard, Beckham... but the love for Sonny was on another level.”

Kevin Wimmer, who joined Spurs in 2015 shortly before Son, shared a close friendship with the South Korean star. The two bonded over their shared Bundesliga background and helped each other learn English. Their chemistry was such that they once interviewed each other post-match for club media.

“You are a wonderful guy, an honest guy,” Wimmer told Son in one clip. “It’s always funny with you and I hope we stay together for many more years here.”

While Wimmer moved on to Stoke City and now plays in Slovakia, their friendship never waned. After Spurs' Europa League triumph, Son took time to reply personally to Wimmer’s congratulatory message—despite hundreds of others flooding in.

In just two seasons, Tottenham have now said goodbye to their two biggest stars: Harry Kane, who departed for Bayern Munich in 2023, and now Son.

Following Kane’s exit, Son stepped up in 2023–24, scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 in the league. The following season was tougher—injuries limited him to 30 league appearances, with 7 goals and 9 assists. Yet he still helped Spurs clinch the Europa League title, coming on in the 67th minute of the final against Manchester United.

Four days later, as Spurs legends like Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings and Martin Chivers lined up for a post-season tribute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Son approached each one to shake hands and said: “Now I’m a legend.”

According to Micky Hazard, “Despite everything he achieved, he didn’t believe he was a legend until he won something. That says so much about his humility and character.”

Son’s status at home reached even greater heights when he completed compulsory military service in 2020. For three weeks, he trained with the South Korean Marine Corps and was recognised as one of the top five performers in his group.

“It made the nation love him even more,” says Sungmo Lee. “He even won awards for his marksmanship and discipline.”

A football academy in his hometown Chuncheon, set up by the Son family, stands as a lasting testament to his commitment to nurturing the next generation.

Son’s next move appears to be across the Atlantic, with Los Angeles FC reportedly leading the race for his signature. He’s made it clear in Korean media interviews that he has no interest in staying in football after retirement and aims to play as long as physically possible.

Despite his departure, his impact on Tottenham—both emotionally and commercially—will be felt for years. Research commissioned by AIA, Spurs’ shirt sponsor, shows one in four South Koreans support the club, largely thanks to Son.

According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Son’s merchandise sales are unmatched:

“South Korean fans spend big. They don’t just buy one shirt—they come away with two bags full of Sonny gear.”

While the commercial loss may be marginal, the emotional one is enormous.

Son Heung-min leaves Tottenham as one of the most adored figures in club history—an entertainer, a warrior, and a gentleman. His story is one of perseverance, humility, and brilliance.

“No-one will ever forget Sonny,” says Wimmer—and he’s right.

From White Hart Lane to Seoul, from wonder goals to golden boots, Sonny will forever be remembered as a true Spurs legend.