Son Heung-Min openly admitted that Los Angeles FC was not his first choice destination after he decided to bring his 10-year chapter in Tottenham to an emotional conclusion.
The 33-year-old was officially unveiled on Wednesday by his new side after completing a relocation worth more than £ 20 million and record compensation paid by an MLS club.
It was no secret that he was on the road this summer and he was noticed in the stands during the 2-1 victory of Lafc against Tigres the day before the announcement.
During his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, the South Korean legend son revealed that he had to be persuaded to make the switch to the United States, before a conversation led to him “changing his heart” and signed a first two-year-old deal.
“They have absolutely worked so hard to get me here to become a member of Lafc,” Son said.
'If I'm honest, it wasn't my first choice but John [Thorrington, LAFC general manager] Was the first phone call when the season ended and John changed ideas.
“He changed my heart.
'I am so happy to see all Korean fans, I was in the game and I saw you supporting you as crazy and I wanted to run on the field and show my performance.
'I am here to win and I will perform.
'I will certainly show you something exciting in … Do we call football or football? I will definitely show you some exciting football, and we will be successful. '
Son continued to describe the impact that made his decision to leave Spurs and remembered 'very empty' after he ran away from the club for which he scored 173 goals.
“I felt that I gave it all, but I felt that I needed a new challenge and I chose Lafc,” he added. “I'm old, but I still have good physicality and I still have good quality.”
Earlier, a tears of tears had issued a sincere message to supporters of Tottenham.
'How do I find the right words for this? Don't know. I've been thinking for days. It is impossible. But here I go, “Son wrote.
'It's time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham. My house for the past decade. When I arrived in 2015, I didn't speak English, I didn't know London, but you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me and stood with me through every high and low.
“I was just a boy from Korea with big dreams who should not have had a chance. And now, 10 years later, North Londs is in my heart forever.
'I made friends here, had the honor to become a godfather here and had the privilege of our special club here in captain. I cast my heart and soul into this club, which makes this the most difficult decision ever.
'I thought if I ever left, this would have to be on my conditions, according to the best conditions, when our mission had been reached together.
“With pride and honor.”
Son will reunite with former Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris at Lafc.
The Los Angeles side was at the top of the Western Conference last season, but lost to Seattle Sounders in the Play -offs before La Galaxy won the MLS Cup.