In an exclusive appearance on Black & Gold Insider, LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington unveiled the inside story behind the most seismic transfer in MLS history. While the football world assumed Son Heung-min’s heart would remain in Europe, Thorrington revealed how LAFC saw an opening, planted a seed, and—through meticulous timing, relentless commitment, and vision—convinced the Korean icon to call Los Angeles home. Football-Asian.com investigates how LAFC turned a near-impossible dream into a historic reality.

A Window of Opportunity: From "Impossible" to "Let’s Try"

When John Thorrington first toyed with the idea of bringing Son Heung-min to Major League Soccer, it felt almost absurd. “You look at a player like Son and everything he’s achieved, and you just think: this is out of our reach,” Thorrington said. But a shift began early this year—specifically, with growing uncertainty at Tottenham and the club's internal transition. “We saw what was happening at Spurs, and we saw a door—slightly ajar,” he recalled.

By mid-June, that door creaked open a little further. LAFC had maintained long-term contact with Son's agent, and the club finally secured a video call with the player himself. It was then, Thorrington says, that the game changed. “Once we spoke, I knew we had a chance.”

What many misinterpreted as Son suggesting LAFC was “not his first choice” was simply a reflection of unfamiliarity. “He just didn’t have all the information about us,” Thorrington clarified. “Our job was to show him what this club could be. From that moment on, we knew there was a real opportunity.”

Competing with Giants: Why Son Chose LA

Football-Asian.com had already reported in January that European giants were circling. FC Barcelona had monitored Son’s contract situation closely and were prepared to sign him on a free if he didn’t activate his one-year option with Spurs. Yet Son, keen to leave Tottenham on good terms, triggered the clause—ensuring the club would receive a fee.

Atletico Madrid, fuelled by an aggressive push into the Asian market, also evaluated a move for Son, especially during a brief window when LAFC were in talks with Antoine Griezmann. But Son showed no concrete interest. SSC Napoli—under Antonio Conte—admired Son's explosiveness but never met Tottenham's valuation. Bayer 04 Leverkusen considered a romantic return, but Son was unmoved.

Saudi Arabia, unsurprisingly, offered the biggest package—transfer fee and salary combined. Still, Son declined, placing career fulfilment above financial gain. Even Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, inquired in early 2025. Yet both Spurs and Son quickly ruled out any intra-league move. 

The Human Touch: Why Thorrington Made the Difference

Thorrington credits his early career as a salesman for honing the pitch. “You’re not just selling a car—you’re selling a dream,” he said. But this wasn’t a traditional negotiation. This was about trust, alignment, and authenticity.

“I told Sonny—here’s who we are, here’s what we’re building. Does that match your ambition?” Thorrington revealed. “I wasn’t trying to force it. I was honest. And as we talked, I saw the lights come on. He began to open up.”

A pivotal moment came when Thorrington brought in Hugo Lloris—Son’s former teammate and fellow LAFC signing—to speak candidly. “I wasn’t that type of player, but I knew Hugo could offer perspective Sonny would trust.”

From Seoul to London to Los Angeles: A Global Recruitment Operation

What followed was a meticulous, continent-spanning recruitment campaign. LAFC executives flew to London in June to speak directly with Son and Spurs. They returned again during Tottenham’s Korean tour, meeting with both parties in Seoul. All of it aligned with reporting from Football-Asian.com, which first revealed LAFC’s three-tiered approach—video call in Korea, in-person visit in England, and final round of negotiations back in Asia.

Son eventually signed a deal through 2027, with options for 2028 and June 2029. But those clauses were designed with bigger ambitions in mind: potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. LAFC knew they weren’t just signing a forward—they were investing in a legacy.

Why MLS, Why Now?

Son’s decision to leave Europe wasn’t driven by decline—it was strategic. With the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America, the idea of settling into the time zone, managing international fixtures, and preserving fitness for one final international push made sense.

The January 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia looms large. So too does the allure of building a championship team in LA—a city where the Dodgers and Lakers represent the pinnacle of sporting pride, and where a 320,000-strong Korean community awaits their new icon.

For Son, it’s about forging new ground. “He saw the potential to create something—not just be part of something,” Thorrington said. “That’s the kind of mindset that leads to greatness.”

The Legacy Begins

Thorrington still remembers the first time he saw Son in person—Tottenham vs Arsenal, November 2016. “He turned on a centre-back and just… destroyed him. It was breathtaking,” he said. “He’s got that explosiveness, that versatility, that ruthless finishing.”

But beyond the footballer, what LAFC truly admired was the man. “He’s humble. He’s iconic, but grounded. He’s the embodiment of what we want this club to be.”

And if there’s any doubt about the scale of the move?

“I think we still don’t fully grasp just how big this is,” Thorrington said. “We tried to attend his farewell game in Korea—but  we could even get there. That’s what Sonny means to the world.”

As LAFC prepares for the next chapter—with Son Heung-min at the heart of it—it’s clear this wasn’t just a transfer. It was a masterclass in vision, execution, and belief. And the man who made it happen? A former salesman, a football romantic, and now, the architect of the most ambitious move MLS has ever seen.