Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris, who built a close bond after years playing together at Tottenham Hotspur, have reunited on American soil with Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

On August 9, LAFC officially shared a video via their social media, capturing the joyful reunion between Son and Lloris at the team’s training ground. In the video, Lloris greeted Son warmly, exclaiming “Sonny~!” before the two shared a heartfelt embrace. Son responded with a smile, saying, “It feels like coming home,” showing his comfort in reuniting with his former captain.

The pair enjoyed more than eight years as teammates at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. Their relationship, while close, drew headlines in July 2020 after a halftime clash in the locker room during a match against Everton when Lloris publicly criticized Son’s defensive effort. Despite the incident, the two quickly resolved their differences and maintained a strong partnership on and off the pitch.

Lloris made the move to LAFC first, transferring in December 2023. Now, nearly 20 months later, he is joined by Son, giving both players a fresh start in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Son, who wore the captain’s armband for an extended period at Tottenham and most recently led the team during the Coupang Play Series match against Newcastle, completes the move with high hopes. In his introduction press conference, Son remarked, “Now, Hugo Lloris is my captain once again. I’m truly looking forward to playing together at LAFC.”

Lloris also spoke to ESPN, sharing his excitement. “It’s amazing to be reunited with Son Heung-min at LAFC. He is a model professional and a great competitor, and I believe he will have a positive impact on the team,” said the veteran goalkeeper.

Looking back, Lloris admitted he never expected Son to follow him to LA, noting, “At first, I didn’t imagine Son would come to LAFC. He poured everything into Tottenham and even experienced a Europa League final.” Lloris reflected on the significance of Son’s new challenge in MLS.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News, LAFC SNS