'Dream come true:' Son Heung-min Joins LAFC, Latest Star to Make MLS Leap

Son Heung-min has arrived at LAFC with great excitement and even greater ambitions for the next stage of his groundbreaking soccer career.

"I’m here to win, and I will perform," Son said at a packed news conference. "I will definitely show you something exciting ... are we calling it football or soccer? I will definitely show some exciting football, and we definitely will have success."

LAFC formally introduced its new forward Wednesday at BMO Stadium, where his likeness already looms over the main entrance gates and on video boards surrounding the stadium. The 33-year-old South Korean superstar arrives after a professional career spent in Europe, including the past decade at Tottenham.

"What can I say? Dream come true. L.A., what a city," said Son, who will wear No. 7 in black and gold.

Son had suitors from around the globe after he decided to leave Spurs, and he said the decision to join LAFC initially wasn’t obvious. He came around to the idea of moving to MLS after conversations with LAFC general manager John Thorrington, who sold Son on the 8-year-old club’s ambition to be an international brand and the most successful club in North America.

"If I’m honest, it was not my first choice," Son said. "But (from the) first call when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind. He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be. Right now, I’m here. I’m more than happy."

Son laughingly said he was also pitched aggressively by Hugo Lloris, his longtime teammate at Tottenham who is now LAFC’s starting goalkeeper.

Son is South Korea’s most popular athlete, and he is widely considered to be the greatest Asian soccer player in history. He said he already feels at