Son Heung-Min is expected to be officially announced as a new player for LAFC today, marking a historic moment for Major League Soccer and energizing Korean American fans in Los Angeles. The Korean soccer star landed in the city on August 5 at 4:05 p.m. via Korean Air flight KE011 to finalize his contract.
More than 100 fans and journalists gathered at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to witness Son’s arrival, including members of the Gangwon Province Association, acknowledging Son’s hometown. According to ESPN, his transfer fee is expected to reach $26 million, the highest in MLS history, surpassing the $22 million Atlanta United paid for Emmanuel Latte Lath in February 2025. Son is also projected to become the third-highest-paid player in MLS, following Lionel Messi and Lorenzo Insigne.
Excitement spread through Korean American online communities ahead of the official announcement. Facebook groups like the California Koreans Group were flooded with questions about season tickets, jersey release dates, and seat recommendations at BMO Stadium. Some fans expressed relief that they no longer needed to travel to the U.K. to see Son play live.
On August 3, Korean American YouTuber Kyumin Cho posted a video titled “First Son Heung-Min Jersey at LAFC + Local Reaction (Before Official Announcement).” He visited the LAFC official store, printed Son’s name and the number 7 on a jersey, and said he hoped to get it signed at the airport.
Local Korean American businesses are preparing for Son’s arrival as well. Bookwon Joo, owner of the Koreatown barbecue restaurant Hyungje Galbi, plans to replace the restaurant’s U.S. flag mural with one of Son Heung-Min, pending image rights approval.
LAFC, founded in 2018 and based near USC, has quickly become a powerhouse in U.S. soccer. A Reuters report from February 2025 valued the club at $1.25 billion, nearly double the league average. LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 and again in 2022, along with the MLS Cup, a rare double win.
In an article published on August 5, the LA Times quoted Kyeongjun Kim of The Korea Daily, who first reported Son’s potential LAFC move on July 2. “Son’s move to LA is as exciting as when Chan Ho Park or Hyun Jin Ryu joined the Dodgers,” Kim said. He added that Korean broadcasters may pursue MLS rights, and Korean companies could explore new sponsorships, benefiting not only LAFC but the entire league.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
![Son Heung-Min holds his new LAFC jersey during the official signing announcement at BMO Stadium on August 6. [Yoonjae Jung, The Korea Daily]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC5670-100x70.jpg "LAFC Signs Son Heung-Min from Tottenham in Historic Transfer")
