Career Timeline of Son Heung-min: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Son Heung-min made an impact.

Son Heung-min is a South Korean professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skill as a left winger. He currently plays for Los Angeles FC and captains the South Korea national team. Celebrated for his speed, precise finishing, ambidextrous ability, and playmaking skills, Son holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring Asian player in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He is generally considered the greatest Asian footballer ever.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 2008: Joins Hamburger SV Youth Academy

In August 2008, Son Heung-min dropped out of Dongbuk High School's football club and joined Hamburger SV's youth academy at age 16.

November 2009: Formally Joins Hamburger SV Youth Academy

In November 2009, after participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Son Heung-min formally joined Hamburger SV's youth academy.

October 2010: First Bundesliga Goal

On 30 October 2010, Son Heung-min scored his first league goal against 1. FC Köln, becoming the youngest Hamburg player to score in the Bundesliga at 18.

December 2010: Named in South Korea national team's squad for 2011 AFC Asian Cup

On 24 December 2010, Son was named in South Korea national team's squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

2010: International Debut for South Korea

In 2010, Son Heung-min began playing for the South Korea national team.

2010: Bundesliga debut

In 2010, Son Heung-min debuted in the Bundesliga for Hamburger SV.

October 2011: Played in friendly against Poland

On 7 October 2011, Son played in a friendly against Poland, and was again featured in 11 October World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates.

2011: Hamburg Appearances and Goals

During the 2011 season, Son Heung-min made 30 appearances for Hamburg and scored five goals. He helped ensure that Hamburg remained in the Bundesliga.

2011: 2011 AFC Asian Cup

In 2011, Son Heung-min represented South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup.

2012: Starter for Hamburger SV

Following Hamburger SV's offseason moves in 2012, Son Heung-min was chosen as a starter by manager Thorsten Fink.

February 2013: Two Goals Against Borussia Dortmund

On 9 February 2013, Son Heung-min scored two goals in an away fixture against Borussia Dortmund, helping his team to a 4–1 victory. He was named Mann des Tages by kicker.

March 2013: World Cup Qualifier Goal

In March 2013, Son Heung-min came on as a substitute in the 81st minute of the World Cup qualifier against Qatar and scored the winning goal in the 96th minute.

June 2013: Confirmed Transfer to Bayer Leverkusen

On 13 June 2013, Bayer Leverkusen confirmed the transfer of Son Heung-min for a reported €10 million, which was the highest transfer fee in the club's history at the time. He agreed to a five-year deal with the team.

November 2013: Hat-trick for Leverkusen

On 9 November 2013, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick for Leverkusen in a 5–3 win against his former club Hamburger SV.

2013: Move to Bayer Leverkusen

In 2013, Son Heung-min moved to Bayer Leverkusen for a club record of €10 million.

May 2014: Goal Against Werder Bremen

On 10 May 2014, Son Heung-min scored a goal against Werder Bremen, securing a spot for his team in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League.

June 2014: 2014 World Cup and Asian Games Request

In June 2014, Son Heung-min was named in South Korea's squad for the 2014 World Cup, and on June 22, he scored in a 4-2 defeat to Algeria. The Korea Football Association requested Bayer Leverkusen to allow Son to play in the 2014 Asian Games, but the request was refused.

2014: 2014 FIFA World Cup

In 2014, Son Heung-min represented South Korea at the FIFA World Cup.

2014: 2014-15 Season

In the 2014 season, Son Heung-min finished with 17 goals in 42 matches.

2014: Involved in South Korea's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign

On 7 October 2011, Son played in a friendly against Poland, and was again featured in 11 October World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates as part of South Korea's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

2014: New Deal with Hamburg

Son Heung-min signed a new deal with Hamburg through 2014.

February 2015: Hat-trick Against VfL Wolfsburg

On 14 February 2015, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg in a 4–5 defeat.

August 2015: Joins Tottenham Hotspur

On 28 August 2015, Son Heung-min joined Tottenham Hotspur for £22 million (€30 million) on a five-year contract, becoming the most expensive Asian player in football history.

September 2015: Hat-trick against Laos

On September 3, 2015, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 win over Laos in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

2015: Debut and First Goals for Tottenham

In 2015, Son Heung-min debuted for Tottenham against Sunderland. He scored his first two goals for the club in the UEFA Europa League against Qarabağ FK and his first Premier League goal against Crystal Palace.

2015: 2015 AFC Asian Cup

In 2015, Son Heung-min represented South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup where the team was the runner-up.

June 2016: 2016 Summer Olympics

In June 2016, Son Heung-min was selected as an overage player for South Korea's under-23 squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, scoring two goals in the group stages. However, South Korea was eliminated in the Quarterfinals.

March 2017: FA Cup Hat Trick Against Millwall

On 12 March 2017, Son Heung-min scored his first Spurs hat trick in the FA Cup against Millwall in a 6–0 win. During the match, he was racially abused by Millwall fans.

May 2017: Brace against Leicester City

On 18 May 2017, Son Heung-min scored a brace away to Leicester City as part of a 6–1 victory. He scored 21 goals in all competitions.

June 2017: Forearm Injury during World Cup Qualifier

On June 13, 2017, Son Heung-min broke his right forearm during a World Cup qualifier match against Qatar.

September 2017: World Cup Qualification

In September 2017, Son was part of the team that qualified for the 2018 World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan.

September 2017: First goal of the 2017-18 season

On 13 September 2017, Son Heung-min scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season in the UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.

February 2018: FA Cup Match Against Rochdale

On 28 February 2018, Son Heung-min scored a brace and assisted Fernando Llorente as Tottenham beat Rochdale 6–1 in the FA Cup. Son's penalty goal was overruled by VAR.

June 2018: 2018 World Cup Goal and Elimination

In June 2018, Son was selected for the 23-man squad for the World Cup. On June 23, he scored a goal against Mexico, but his side was defeated. On June 27, he scored against Germany, sealing their elimination.

July 2018: Signed new contract with Tottenham

On July 2018, Son signed a new five-year deal extending his contract with Tottenham until 2023.

October 2018: Scored a brace in 150th game for Tottenham

In October 2018, Son scored a brace in his 150th game for Tottenham in the 2018–19 EFL Cup match against West Ham.

2018: 2018 Asian Games Gold Medal

In 2018, Son Heung-min captained South Korea at the Asian Games, securing a gold medal after a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final, exempting the squad from mandatory military service.

2018: Champions League final

In 2018, Son Heung-min contributed to Tottenham Hotspur reaching the Champions League final.

2018: Opening of Son Football Academy

In 2018, Son Heung-min opened Son Football Academy in his hometown Chuncheon with his father and brother, at a cost of £11 million, funded mostly by Son himself.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup and Asian Games

In 2018, Son Heung-min played in the FIFA World Cup and won gold at the Asian Games with South Korea.

February 2019: Scored first goal against Borussia Dortmund in Champions League

On 13 February 2019, Son scored the first goal in a 3–0 win over Borussia Dortmund, in the first leg of the round of 16, UEFA Champions League, and at the end of February he was named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.

April 2019: Scored first professional goal at new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

On 3 April 2019, Son scored the first professional goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace.

April 2019: Scored first European competition goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

On 9 April 2019, Son scored the first European competition goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a 1–0 win against Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the 2018–19 Champions League. He also became the highest scoring Asian player in the history of the tournament with 12 goals.

May 2019: Received first red card in the Premier League

On 4 May 2019, Son received his first red card in the Premier League due to his vindictive action against Jefferson Lerma.

September 2019: Opened 2019-20 account with two goals against Crystal Palace

On 14 September 2019, Son opened his 2019–20 account by scoring two goals against Crystal Palace in the Premier League with a final result of 4–0.

November 2019: Scored first goal under José Mourinho as manager

On 23 November 2019, Son scored Tottenham's first goal with José Mourinho as manager, earning him Man-of-the-match in a 3–2 Spurs victory against West Ham.

December 2019: Sent off after raising boot against Antonio Rüdiger

On 22 December 2019, facing Chelsea, Son was sent off after raising his boot against Antonio Rüdiger's ribs.

2019: 2019 AFC Asian Cup

In 2019, Son Heung-min captained South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup. After missing the first two matches due to an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur, his play at the tournament was lethargic, and the team was defeated by Qatar in the quarter-finals.

2019: Donation to Goseong Fire Victims

In 2019, Son Heung-min donated around £100,000 to the victims of the Goseong Fire in South Korea.

February 2020: Became first Asian footballer to score 50 Premier League goals

On 16 February 2020, Son scored two goals at Villa Park and earned a 3–2 victory for Tottenham, in which he became the first Asian footballer to score 50 goals in the Premier League, with 51 scored goals in 151 Premier League matches.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Aid Donation

In 2020, Son Heung-min donated £65,000 to aid in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

January 2021: Scored 100th goal for Tottenham

On 2 January 2021, Son scored his 100th goal for Tottenham in the 3–0 win against Leeds.

July 2021: Extended contract with Tottenham until 2025

On 23 July 2021, Son extended his contract with Tottenham until 2025.

2021: EFL Cup final

In 2021, Son Heung-min contributed to Tottenham Hotspur reaching the EFL Cup final.

October 2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In October 2022, despite an eye injury, Son Heung-min was named to lead South Korea in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He wore a mask to protect his face. He led South Korea to the round of 16.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Son Heung-min represented South Korea at the FIFA World Cup.

August 2023: Appointed as Tottenham's new captain

On 12 August 2023, it was announced that Son had been made Tottenham's new captain, replacing Hugo Lloris.

2023: 2023 AFC Asian Cup

In 2023, Son Heung-min played in the AFC Asian Cup under manager Jürgen Klinsmann. He scored a penalty against Jordan and contributed to a win over Saudi Arabia. He also had a strong performance against Australia, but South Korea lost to Jordan in the semi-finals.

2023: Contract Extension

In July 2018, Son signed a new five-year deal extending his contract with Tottenham until 2023.

February 2024: Returned from AFC Asian Cup, assisting teammate

On 10 February 2024, Son made his return from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, assisting teammate Brennan Johnson to score a 90+6th-minute goal, a late minute winner in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. This prompted Postecoglou to hail him as "the best attacking player in the competition".

January 2025: Tottenham extended Son's contract

On 7 January 2025, Tottenham announced they had exercised their option to extend Son's contract by an additional 12 months until June 2026.

August 2025: Moved to Los Angeles FC

On 6 August 2025, Son moved to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in a deal worth $26.5 million, an MLS record, departing Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years. His signing made Son become just the second South Korean player in the club's history, the other being Kim Moon-hwan.

September 2025: Most Capped Player for South Korea

On September 9, 2025, Son Heung-min became the most capped player for the South Korean national team with 136 appearances, equalling Hong Myung-bo and Cha Bum-kun.