Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Son Heung-min |
| Nickname | Sonaldo |
| Profession | Footballer |
| Club | Tottenham |
Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight (approx.) | 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Skin Colour | Olive |
| Facial Hair | Clean-shaven |
| Preferred Foot | Both |
Football Career | |
| Youth Career | Early Local Training Son began playing football seriously at Yukminkwan Middle School in Chuncheon (2006–07). He then moved to Dongbuk Middle/High School, before joining the FC Seoul youth academy at around age 14–15. He served as a ball-boy in an FC Seoul match in 2008 while in the academy. His youth role model was Lee Chung‑Yong, who would later play for Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers. First Academy Joined FC Seoul’s youth system (2008) as a ball boy and trainee. Move to Europe In August 2008 (age 16), Son joined Hamburger SV’s youth academy, initially via the Korean FA Youth Project. He returned to South Korea after the 2009 U‑17 World Cup, then formally rejoined Hamburg in November 2009.  Youth Performance & First Pro In the 2010–11 pre-season, Son scored nine goals impressively, earning a professional contract exactly on his 18th birthday. Notable Coaches/Influences – Father (Son Woong-jung): Former Korean national B‑team forward turned coach, ran a football academy and developed Son’s early skills and mental strength. Training included intense focus on two‑footed technique (500+ shots per foot daily) – Armin Veh (HSV manager): Called him a “joyau” (jewel) and likened him to Bundesliga legend Cha Bum-kun |
| Senior Club Debut | Date of Debut 30 October 2010 (Bundesliga) – Made his professional debut for Hamburger SV in a 2–1 win over 1. FC Köln Age at Debut 18 years, 3 months (born 8 July 1992) – Became the youngest HSV player to score in the Bundesliga, breaking Manfred Kaltz’s record. [!] Match Performance – Scored his debut goal in the 24th minute – Played as a right winger, showcasing his pace and two-footedness ~ Proved his potential despite being a teenager; HSV manager Armin Veh praised his “fearless” attitude Pre-Season Build-Up Made a strong impact in 2010 pre-season, scoring nine goals, and signed his first professional contract exactly on his 18th birthday, earning promotion to the first team Notable Follow-Up First Asian player to score in the Bundesliga as a teenager . Later became a key figure for HSV, scoring 12 goals in 2012–13. ~ Laid the foundation for his €10M transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013 |
Club Career Timeline | |
| Hamburger SV | Joined – Left Jul 2010 – Jun 2013 Transfer Details Joined youth academy (2008); promoted to senior team (2010) Apps (All comps.) 73 apps, 20 goals Key Moments – Debut goal: 30 Oct 2010 vs. 1. FC Köln (youngest HSV scorer in Bundesliga) – Breakthrough: 12 goals in 2012–13, dubbed “next Cha Bum-kun” |
| Bayer Leverkusen | Joined – Left Jul 2013 – Aug 2015 Transfer Details Sold from Hamburg for €10m (German record for club at the time) Shirt No. Son commonly wore No. 7/9  Stats (Apps/Goals) 62 apps, 21 goals (Bundesliga: 43/11) Key Moments – First hat-trick: 9 Nov 2013 vs. HSV (5–3) [!] – UCL debut: Scored in 2014–15 group stage vs. Benfica Manager Relationships Sami Hyypiä/Roger Schmidt: Used him as LW/SS in 4-3-3  |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Years 2015–present Transfer Details Transferred for £22m (€30 m); record for an Asian player at the time. [!] Shirt No. No. 7, became club captain in 2023  Stats (Apps/Goals) 333 apps, 127 goals (as of 2025) Key Moments • Premier League debut in Sept 2015; early goal contributions in Europa League vs Qarabağ. • Won Premier League Golden Boot in 2021–22 ((23 PL goals, shared with Salah)). • Appointed club captain in 2023; led Spurs to Europa League triumph 2025, ending a 17-year trophy drought. Reuters praised his leadership and legacy. [!] |
International Career | |
| South Korea U17 | Years 2008–2009 Key Performances – 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup: Scored 3 goals in group stage vs. Brazil and Mexico [!] – AFC U16 Championship 2008: Helped secure qualification for U17 World Cup  |
| South Korea U23 | Years 2016–2018 Key Performances Captained the U23 team at the 2018 Asian Games, assisting both goals in the extra‑time win vs Japan to secure gold—earning military exemption. Also featured as an over‑age player in the 2016 Olympics and scored against Fiji and Germany. [!]  |
| Senior National Team Debut | Total Caps & Goals As of early 2025: 134 caps, 51 goals for South Korea (senior team) Year-by-Year Breakdown 2010: 1 app (0 goals); 2011: 7 apps/1 goal; 2012: 3/0; 2013: 11/4; 2014: 12/2; 2015: 12/9; 2016: 6/1; 2017: 9/3; 2018: 13/3; 2019: 13/3; 2020: 2/0; 2021: 7/4; 2022: 12/5; 2023: 8/6; 2024: 15/10; 2025: 3/0 Major Tournaments • 2011 AFC Asian Cup: runner-up; • 2015 AFC Asian Cup: reached final; Son nearly scored winner vs Australia in stoppage time • Asian Games 2018: won gold—secured military exemption and helped career continuity • FIFA World Cups: featured in 2014, 2018 & 2022 editions—scored vital goal vs Mexico in 2018 (ended 18‑minute dry spell) Notable Performances • Friendly vs Colombia (Nov 2017): scored brace in 2–1 win, standout display [!] • Friendly vs Colombia (Mar 2023): brace in 2–2 draw at home • Vs Chile (June 2022): scored in stoppage-time to seal 2–0 win [!] • AFC Asian Cup 2024 QF vs Australia: won penalty and scored free‑kick in extra time to win 2–1 [!] • November 2024 vs Kuwait: scored his 50th international goal in World Cup qualifying, tying second‑place in Korea’s all‑time scorers list [!] Key Statistics (as of August 2025) • Caps: 134 (most-capped outfield player for South Korea) • Goals: 51 (2nd all-time for South Korea, behind Cha Bum-kun) • Assists: 15+ in major tournaments Leadership & Awards Captained South Korea in multiple nations; awarded South Korean Footballer of the Year eight times (2013, 2014, 2017–2022, 2024). |
Major Achievements at Club Level | |
| Team Trophies | • UEFA Europa League Winner (2024–25) – Son captained Tottenham to their first major trophy in 17 years, defeating Manchester United 1–0 in the final. [!] |
| Individual Awards | • Premier League Golden Boot (2021‑22 season) – joint winner with 23 goals, none from penalties; became the first Asian player ever to win the award in English top-flight. [!] • FIFA Puskás Award for his solo goal vs. Burnley (December 2020) [!] • Voted Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year at least twice (2018–19 & 2019–20); consistently named in club awards throughout his decade at Spurs (Player of the Season, Junior Player of the Season, Supporters’ awards) • Best Footballer in Asia – Dominated the award during his Spurs career (2015–2025) |
| Records & Milestones | • First Asian player to score 100+ PL goals, surpassed Park Ji-sung’s previous Asian record. 127 goals (as of 2025). • Most assists in Spurs’ PL history, surpassed Christian Eriksen’s record. • Most prolific PL partnership (with Kane). Most direct goal combinations in PL history, 37 combined goals. [!] • Top Asian scorer in UCL history. Broke Cha Bum-kun’s long-standing record [!] |
Quotes from Coaches & Influences | |
| Ange Postecoglou (former Spurs manager) | “Sonny embodies everything we stand for. His professionalism, leadership, and humility set the standard. He’s not just a world-class player—he’s a world-class human.” ~ Praising Son’s captaincy after Spurs’ Europa League win (2025) |
| José Mourinho (former Spurs manager) | “Son is the kind of player who makes coaches look good. His work ethic is unbelievable—he trains like it’s his last session every day.” ~ Reflecting on Son’s impact during his tenure (2020–21) |
| Antonio Conte (Former Spurs manager) | “We are talking about a really world class player … he has quality but also runs, intensity and resilience.” ~ Conte, after managing Son early in his Spurs career, confirmed his elite status and admired his work ethic. [!] |
| Harry Kane (Former Spurs teammate) | “Playing with Sonny was a joy. Our connection was instinctive—he always knew where I’d be, and vice versa.” ~ On their record 37-goal partnership |
| Mohamed Salah (Liverpool Forward) | “Son is one of the toughest wingers I’ve faced. His speed and finishing are unreal.” ~ After Son tied him for the 2021–22 Golden Boot |
Playing Style & Role | |
| Primary Role | Versatile Forward: Son’s role spans left winger, second striker, and central striker, depending on team setup. He has also adapted as an attacking midfielder in certain tactical plans. He himself has expressed: “I don’t care where I play… I’ll be anywhere and always on the throttle.” Tactical Role Often functions as an inverted inside forward or false nine. In Ange Postecoglou’s system, he has frequently been deployed as a central striker in a high-press, possession-based front three—but his fame rose as a lethal right-to-left inverted winger. Movement & Positioning Son excels at reading space and timing runs behind defensive lines. As a striker, he demonstrates excellent instincts in the box, often outperforming expected goals. As a wide forward, he drifts centrally to exploit half-spaces. Transition & Pressing Known for his relentless counter-pressing and exceptional stamina. Under Postecoglou, he has led Spurs’ press from the front, registering among the highest sprint distances and intensity metrics in the Premier League. Preferred Formations Thrives in 4‑2‑3‑1 / 4‑3‑3 systems (as an inside left with freedom to cut in), and 3‑5‑2 or 4‑4‑2 diamond setups where he plays as support striker or lone striker. |
| Key Strengths | Clinical Finishing (Both Feet) Son is a lethally efficient finisher, capable of converting even half chances with precision and calm composure. He averages 0.40 xG per shot, with nearly every second shot resulting in a goal. Remarkably, he scored 11 of 19 Premier League goals in one season with his weaker left foot—making him one of the most ambidextrous finishers in the league. Intelligent Positioning & Movement into the Final Third His off-the-ball intelligence stands out—Son’s timing of runs behind defenses and positioning between lines create scoring chances and complicate opponents’ marking. He often drifts from wide into open half-spaces to exploit gaps. Excellent Short-Passing & Link-Up Play Known for vision and vision-based combinations, Son frequently threads incisive passes and jewelry-like through balls. He seamlessly links midfield interplay into finishing moves, both centrally and from the flank. Exceptionally High Work Rate & Pressing Ability A tireless presser who leads the counter-press at the top, Son’s pressing intensity helps disrupt opposition build-up. His pace and stamina enable sustained high-energy contribution throughout matches. Composed Under Pressure & Tactical Flexibility Whether executing long-range strikes or in tight box situations, Son maintains composure and precision under duress. His mental resilience makes him reliable in high-stakes moments and difficult tactical roles. [!] |
| Weaknesses | Limited ability in crossing / aerial duels While strong at cutting inside and finishing, Son rarely produces effective crosses—completing just 6 of 28 open-play attempts in a Bundesliga season with Leverkusen. He also lacks dominance in aerial duels due to his build and playing style, which limits his effectiveness against physically strong defenders. Struggles defensively when out of possession Though hardworking in pressing, his defensive impact diminishes when Spurs shift to lower-block systems. He is less reliable in tracking back consistently or contributing to organized defensive structure compared to more defensive-minded forwards. Vulnerability to injuries / loss of pace in later years With age, his explosive pace has slightly declined, raising concerns about durability and recovery. Former teammates and pundits noted a diminished impact in Spurs’ Europa League final (2025), citing fatigue and reduced speed, signaling natural decline. |
Injuries & Suspensions | |
| Recurring Injury Patterns | – Hamstring Issues: Missed 12+ games across multiple seasons due to thigh muscle injuries, including a 2024–25 setback requiring preventive rotation – Foot Injuries: Struggled with persistent foot pain in 2025, missing key Europa League matches [!] Calf tear Missed critical PL fixtures and FA Cup semi-final (2021-22) [!] Hamstring tear Disrupted Spurs’ top-four race under Mourinho (2021-22) [!] |
| Suspensions | • Red card suspension (PL 2019–20) – Straight red for challenge on Jefferson Lerma; later appeal overturned. [!] • Red card suspension (PL 2018–19) – Suspension carried into next season due to late-season red. [!] • 2024: One-game ban for accumulated yellows (5 in PL) |
Notable Transfers | |
| Hamburger SV → Bayer Leverkusen | Year 2013 Fee & Record €10 million, Leverkusen club record at time Reasons/Context Leverkusen sought a versatile attacking talent and saw Son as a future star. Son progressed rapidly in Bundesliga, prompting the move for career growth. |
| Bayer Leverkusen → Tottenham Hotspur | Year 2015 Fee & Record £22 million (€30 m) — most expensive Asian player at that time Media & Fan Reaction Transfer sparked mixed reactions in Germany—some frustration at exit—but Spurs fans embraced him, later calling the move a bargain. Reddit fans hailed it as “worth every quid.” [!] |
| Tottenham Hotspur → LAFC (MLS) | Year 2025 Fee & Record Reported £15 million (possibly $20–26m in MLS terms) [!] Reasons/Context Son opted for a new challenge while honoring career legacy. Spurs prioritized his wishes, committing to farewell arrangements in Seoul. [!]  |
Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 8 July 1992 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 years |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Place of Birth | Chuncheon, South Korea |
| Religion | Christian |
| Social Media | — Instagram — X (formerly Twitter) |
Relationship & More | |
| Marital Status | |
| Girlfriend | Yoo So-young – The actress (former After School member) Dating period: 2015–2016  Bang Min-ah (Unconfirmed rumors during Son’s time at Leverkusen; neither party acknowledged) Dating period: 2014 (rumored)  Kim Jisoo (BLACKPINK’s agency YG Entertainment denied these rumors) Dating period: 2019 (rumored) [!]  |
| Blackmail Scandal | ➤ A woman (Yang) and her accomplice (Yong) attempted to extort $218,000 from Son, falsely claiming pregnancy. [!] ➤ Police confirmed Yang had an abortion but could not prove paternity (she admitted to relations with another man) ➤ Both were arrested; Son maintained privacy throughout |
Family | |
| Parents | Father – Son Woong‑jung • Born 10 June 1962, former professional forward in South Korea (played for Sangmu FC, Hyundai Horang-i, Ilhwa Chunma; South Korea B team) • Retired at 28 due to injury; became Son Heung‑min’s first coach, known as a “tiger dad” for his strict training—4‑hour keepie‑uppy drills, delayed match play until age 14, over 5,000 hours devoted to ball mastery [!] • Founded SON Football Academy in Chuncheon (£11 million investment) where he applied his training philosophy publicly when Son was a youth • Faced controversy: in 2025, suspended and fined (3 million KRW) for child abuse convictions at the academy; received 40 hours of counseling and a three-month ban from coaching activities [!]  Mother – Eun Ja Kil • Less publicly profiled, but equally influential as the emotional backbone in Son’s upbringing • Provided stability and support that balanced her husband’s discipline; contributed to Son’s humble personality and educational focus Role in Son’s Life: • Managed household logistics during Son’s move to Germany at 16 • Ensured cultural adaptation (e.g., Korean meals, language support) while Son trained at Hamburger SV  |
Off‑Pitch Profile | |
| Philanthropy | – Donated £100,000 to Goseong fire victims (2019) [!] – Donated £65,000 during COVID-19 (2020) via Good Neighbors Intl. [!] – Co-founded the Son Football Academy (Chuncheon, S. Korea) – Received Cheongnyong Medal (Korea’s highest sports honor, 2022) [!]  |
| Endorsements | – Adidas (long-term boot partner) – Burberry (Global ambassador, since June 2022) [!] – Calvin Klein (S. Korea campaign, 2022) [!] – TUMI, Samsung Galaxy, ASUS ROG, AIA, Tiger Beer, Pepsi, Gatorade Estimated earnings from endorsements: $10–12M/year |
| Other Ventures | – Appeared in Fortnite’s Icon Series (2022) – Launched NFT collections (e.g. “Golden Shiny Boot”) [!] – Continues to be a national icon in S. Korea with cultural and diplomatic influence |
Financial Profile & Career Contracts | |
| Current Market Value | 2025 Valuation: €25M (Transfermarkt) • Decline from peak: Down from €80M (2022) due to age (33) and reduced role at Spurs in 2024–25 • MLS impact: Potential move to LAFC could stabilize value given commercial appeal |
| Contract Details | Current Deal (2024–2026): • Duration: Signed until June 2026 • Salary: £190K/week (€220K/week, $12M/year) • Release Clause: None (Spurs rarely include clauses) Career Earnings $100M+ (salary only; $150M+ with endorsements) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Total Wealth: $100M (Forbes, 2025) [!] Breakdown: • Salary: $12M/year (2025) • Endorsements: $5M+/year (Adidas, Calvin Klein) • Investments: Real estate in Seoul and London |
| Key Financial Milestones | • 2021–22: Peak earnings (£200K/week) after Golden Boot win • 2025: Reduced salary at Spurs (£190K/week) ahead of MLS move • Commercial Impact: First Asian player to rank among Premier League’s top 10 jersey sales (2018–2024) |
| MLS Transfer (2025) | Confirmed move to LAFC for £15M–$20–26M, possibly setting MLS transfer record. Spurs prioritized honoring Son’s legacy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Son so popular in Korea?
Son is a national icon and the face of South Korean football. Over 20% of Koreans aged 16–69 are Tottenham fans—due largely to him—as Nielsen reported. Reddit users describe him as “Mr. Korea,” known by 99.9% of citizens even if they don’t follow football. His clean image, humility, and impact reaching beyond sports—via ads and national pride—make him universally beloved.
How many goals does Son have?
At Spurs, by the end of his tenure in 2025 Son scored 173 goals in 454 appearances across all competitions—making him the club’s second-highest overseas scorer. He also reached 100 Premier League goals, becoming the first Asian player to do so in April 2023.
Why is Son going to LAFC?
In mid-2025, Son decided to leave Tottenham after a decade to seek a new challenge, reportedly joining LAFC for around £15M. The move was framed as a legacy-driven decision, supported by Spurs who honored his wishes with a farewell in Seoul.
Who is Son Heung‑min’s idol?
Publicly, Son hasn’t disclosed a single idol. However, he has often cited respect for players like Park Ji-sung and other Korean trailblazers who inspired him growing up, and he frequently acknowledges the influence of his father’s sacrifices and discipline.
How long was Son at Tottenham?
Son spent exactly 10 years at Spurs, from August 2015 to August 2025. He joined for £22 million and departed after 10 honoured seasons, leaving as a revered club legend.
📚 Sources / References
- Transfermarkt – Son Heung-min Player Profile
- Son Heung-min says farewell in Newcastle friendly in Seoul – BBC
- Wikipedia Overview
- Heung-Min Son Profile, Statistics, & Latest News – Tottenham Hotspur
- Heung-min Son stats, ratings and goals – Sofascore
- Son Heung-Min Tottenham Hotspur Forward, Profile & Stats – Premier League