According to journalist Tom Bogert, a transfer expert for CBS Sports Golazo (USA), Son Heung-min has received a visa and is eligible to play. He could soon make his debut with Los Angeles FC when he plays Chicago Fire FC on August 10 in MLS.
The Asian star arrived in MLS for a record fee of $26 million, breaking all previous transfer fees of American clubs. He officially left Tottenham on August 6, ending 9 seasons with the club, scoring 173 goals and having 101 assists in 454 matches. Son also helped Tottenham win the 2024-2025 Europa League, ending 17 years of trophylessness.
With this deal, Son became the most expensive player in MLS history, surpassing previous notable contracts such as Emmanuel Latte Lath ($22 million), Kévin Denkey ($16.2 million), Thiago Almada ($16 million) and Gonzalo Martinez ($14 million).
The Korean striker came to MLS and took the No. 1 spot on the MLS transfer record board. Before Son, Lionel Messi, David Beckham or Zlatan Ibrahimovic were always mentioned when talking about MLS's "lifetime" contracts.
However, in terms of transfer fees, these three superstars are not on the list of the most expensive in the history of the tournament, although their salaries are among the highest in the tournament. Messi currently receives 20 million USD/season at Inter Miami.
Because Messi and Beckham, the most influential people in MLS, both came on free transfers.
If not mentioning the transfer fee records, Fox Sports newspaper rates the top 5 most influential international transfer contracts in MLS as: Messi (Inter Miami), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) and David Villa (NYCFC).
The numbers show that MLS is not only a "land for retirement" but is also increasingly spending heavily to attract top stars.
Top 5 deals with the highest transfer fees in MLS:
1. Son Heung-min (Tottenham → LAFC, 2025) – $26 million
2. Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough → Atlanta United, 2025) – 22 million USD
3. Kévin Denkey (Cercle Brugge → FC Cincinnati, 2024) – 16.2 million USD
4. Thiago Almada (Velez Sarsfield → Atlanta United, 2022) – 16 million USD
5. Gonzalo Martinez (River Plate → Atlanta United, 2019) – 14 million USD
Source: https://nld.com.vn/son-heung-min-pha-ky-luc-mls-messi-va-beckham-nam-ngoai-top-chuyen-nhuong-ky-luc-196250809153617261.htm
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