Heung-min Son Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!

Heung-min Son, commonly referred to as Son or Sonny, is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and captains the South Korea national team.

Since joining Tottenham in 2015, Son has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most prolific goalscorers and Tottenham’s talisman in the post-Harry Kane era. With his electric pace, clinical finishing and energetic playing style, the South Korean superstar has earned himself a cult following in North London.

In this 4000 word article, we will explore Son’s journey from humble beginnings in South Korea to becoming one of the biggest Asian stars in Premier League history.

Heung-min Son’s Early Life and Career

Heung-min Son was born on July 8, 1992 in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province in South Korea. From an early age, it was clear that Son had a natural talent for football.

Son first played for the local youth team Chuncheon FC where he immediately stood out for his speed, dribbling skills and ability to score goals. At age 16, he trialed at German club Hamburg SV and impressed coaches with his technical abilities.

In 2008, Son signed his first professional contract with Hamburg at just age 16, making him the youngest player ever to play in the German Bundesliga.

During his time at Hamburg from 2008-2013, Son made 104 appearances and scored 20 goals while consistently being one of the team’s top performers. His strong performances earned him a £9.5 million move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013.

At Leverkusen, Son had his breakout season in 2013-14, scoring 12 goals in 43 games and helping the team finish 4th in the Bundesliga. His pace, direct attacking style and long range shooting earned him the nickname “Sonaldo” from German media.

Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur

After two impressive seasons at Leverkusen, Son attracted interest from Premier League clubs. In August 2015, he completed a £22 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the most expensive Asian player in football history at the time.

Son quickly settled into life in North London under manager Mauricio Pochettino, scoring on his debut against Sunderland in September 2015. In his first season at Spurs, Son contributed 11 goals and 7 assists in all competitions.

The 2016-17 season was a breakout campaign for Son as he scored 21 goals in all competitions, including hat-tricks against Millwall and Swansea City. His exploits earned him Spurs’ Player of the Season award.

Becoming Tottenham’s Main Man

Over the next few seasons, Son established himself as one of Tottenham’s most important players and a fan favorite with his tireless work rate and crucial goals.

The 2018-19 season was Son’s best yet as he scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists, forming a lethal partnership with Harry Kane upfront. Son signed a new 5-year contract at Spurs, committing his long-term future to the club.

When Harry Kane suffered multiple long-term injuries in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Son stepped up as the team’s talisman, scoring 43 goals in these two campaigns and almost single-handedly qualifying Spurs for the Champions League.

Son won the Premier League Player of the Month award an unprecedented three times in a row in 2020/21, joining esteemed company like Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane as the only players to do so.

In November 2022, Son scored his 100th Premier League goal for Spurs with a hat-trick against Leicester City. At age 30, he is in the prime years of his career and the focal point of Tottenham’s attack.

Son’s Playing Style and Attributes

A versatile forward capable of playing anywhere along the front three, Son’s main attributes are his explosive pace, efficient finishing and work rate.

Despite his slight frame, Son combines pace with upper body strength to fend off defenders. He has refined his heading ability and scores several goals each season with his head.

Son boasts an impressive shooting technique off either foot and from long distances. His direct dribbling and ability to finish quickly on the counter attack make him a threat in behind defenses.

Out of possession, Son is an energetic presser and leads Tottenham’s high intensity counter-pressing style under Antonio Conte. He is a tactically intelligent player and links up play well with his teammates.

Above all, Son’s incredible work rate and relentless pressing is what endears him most to Spurs supporters. He has reportedly clocked speeds over 21 mph in games.

Son’s Achievements and Awards

Some notable achievements and awards in Son’s trophy cabinet:

Premier League Player of the Month: Sept 2016, Feb 2021, March 2021, April 2021, October 2022
Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Season: 2016-17
Tottenham Hotspur Top Scorer: 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
Premier League Goal of the Season: 2019-20
Most Goals by an Asian Player in Premier League History: over 100 goals
captained South Korea to gold at the 2018 Asian Games
represented South Korea at 2 FIFA World Cups and captained at Qatar 2022

At only 30 years old, Son likely has many more impressive seasons ahead of him at Tottenham, where he has cemented himself as a bonafide Premier League superstar and arguably Asia’s biggest footballing icon today.

Son’s Salary and Net Worth

According to reports, Son currently earns a weekly salary of around £140,000 at Tottenham after signing a new 5-year contract in 2021.

His total yearly salary comes up to around £7.2 million annually. Son also has numerous lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Beats, Hugo Boss and Venum which contribute to his income.

As of 2024, Son reportedly has a net worth of approximately $25 million (£19 million). Given his billionaire club ownership, consistent performances and commercial appeal, Son’s net worth is expected to grow steadily in the coming years.

Son’s Family and Personal Life

Son was born to parents Son Woong-jung and Eun Ja-yeop in Chuncheon, South Korea. His father, Woong-jung was also a former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Growing up, Son was extremely close with his father who mentored him in football from a young age. Even when he moved to Europe as a teenager to pursue his career, Son remained very close with his family back home.

Son avoids the limelight and tabloid attention by leading a very private personal life. He is said to be in a long term relationship with girlfiend Minah Kang, a Korean student whom he prefers keeping out of the public eye.

Known to be a devout Christian, Son is also actively involved in charity work and set up the Sonny Store initiative to help disadvantaged youth access football training.

Despite his fame and fortune, those close to him say Son remains extremely humble and family-oriented with most of his earnings going back to his family and charity causes.

Son’s Influence and Legacy

Son’s success and popularity in England has made him a trailblazer for Asian footballers and greatly boosted the Premier League’s profile in the Asian market.

Such is his following that NBC Sports reported a whopping 8.7 million South Korean viewers tuned in to watch his Premier League games during the 2020/21 season.

The Spurs superstar has single handedly brought in legions of new supporters and viewership from South Korea and Asia. He has paved the way for the next generation of Asian players to succeed at the highest levels in Europe.

Having signed a long-term contract until 2025, the remainder of Son’s peak years will likely be spent at Tottenham where he has the chance to break all-time scoring records.

Barring injury, Son is surely destined to smash the 100 Premier League goal mark and etch himself into Tottenham folklore as one of the club’s greatest ever players.

For both club and country, Son’s world class performances have made him a revered figure that will be remembered for generations to come back home in South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions about Son Heung-min

Which club did Son make his professional debut for?

Son made his professional debut at age 16 for Hamburg SV in the German Bundesliga in 2010. He was the youngest ever debutant in the league.

How many Champions League goals has Son scored?

As of 2024, Son has scored 20 goals in 69 appearances in the UEFA Champions League for Hamburg, Leverkusen and Tottenham.

What is Son’s best goalscoring season?

Son’s most prolific season was in 2020/21 when he scored 22 goals in 34 Premier League games for Spurs.

How fast has Son been recorded running?

Son reportedly clocked a top speed of 21.8 mph during a game against Manchester City in 2018.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Heung-min Son’s inspiring journey from his humble beginnings in South Korea to global stardom with Tottenham Hotspur has made him an iconic figure in Asian football.

With his blistering pace, lethal finishing, tireless work ethic and down-to-earth personality, Son has won the hearts of fans worldwide and earned his place among the Premier League’s elite players.

As he enters his peak years at 30, Son has plenty more history left to write at Tottenham where he is alreadyamong their greatest ever players. His Asia-leading popularity and commercial success also mirrors the Premier League’s growing foothold across the continent.

For the legions of Tottenham and South Korean fans who adore him, Son has proven that it is possible for an Asian player to transcend continental boundaries and thrive at the highest echelons of the sport. With many more memorable performances likely to come, Son’s legacy as a pioneer for Asian football is assured.

More FAQs about Son Heung-min

What major trophies has Son won?

The only major trophy Son has won in his career so far is gold at the 2018 Asian Games with South Korea. He is yet to win any domestic or European honours at club level.

What is Son’s market value?

As per 2024 estimates, Son’s market valuation is around €90 million making him one of the most valuable players in the Premier League.

Son has over 5 million followers on Instagram and 7 million followers on Facebook as of 2024, underlining his massive popularity.

Does Son speak English fluently?

Yes, Son speaks English fluently after spending so many years playing in Germany and England. He is known to be soft-spoken and shy off the pitch.

How important is Son to Tottenham’s success?

Extremely important – Son has been Tottenham’s most consistent performer and main source of goals in recent seasons. Spurs’ Champions League ambitions depend heavily on Son’s continued form.