IntelScoops

Los Angeles — South Korean football icon Son Heung-min touched down in Los Angeles on Tuesday, sparking intense excitement among fans and fueling reports that a blockbuster move to Major League Soccer side LAFC is imminent.

The former Tottenham Hotspur captain, widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer of all time, is expected to complete a record-setting transfer worth $26.5 million — the highest fee ever paid by an MLS club. His arrival marks one of the most high-profile signings in league history, rivaling Inter Miami’s sensational capture of Lionel Messi two years ago.

Roughly 40 fans gathered at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to greet Son, whose decade-long career in the English Premier League earned him worldwide acclaim. Later that evening, cheers erupted at BMO Stadium when Son was shown on the big screen during LAFC’s home match — a glimpse of the reception he can expect from the city’s vibrant Korean community.

With Los Angeles home to the largest Korean population outside the Korean peninsula and its Koreatown located just minutes from LAFC’s stadium, the 31-year-old forward brings both sporting star power and deep cultural resonance to the club.

Son’s reported transfer is viewed as a major coup not just for LAFC but for MLS as a whole, particularly at a time when global names are increasingly considering the league as a serious destination. His proven scoring record and unmatched work ethic could significantly bolster LAFC’s playoff ambitions. The club currently sits sixth in the Western Conference with a 10-6-6 record.

This isn’t LAFC’s first attempt to lure European firepower — a failed effort to sign Olivier Giroud last year fizzled out. However, Son’s technical versatility and international following are seen as a much better fit for the team’s dynamic playing style.

One potential complication lies ahead: uncertainty surrounding LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, whose future with the club remains unclear. Whether Son’s arrival will coincide with a managerial transition is yet to be seen.

Still, for LAFC supporters and the broader Korean-American community, Son’s presence in Los Angeles is already making waves — and the best may be yet to come.