Soccer-Son savours warm reception during MLS debut for LAFC in Illinois

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(Reuters) -Son Heung-min said he had never experienced such a welcoming atmosphere at an away game after making his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC against Chicago Fire, where he was greeted by a packed crowd at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois.

Son joined LAFC on a record-breaking MLS transfer on Wednesday after a 10-year spell at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. At Tottenham, he bagged 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances and led them to their first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League title in May.

The 33-year-old South Korea skipper made a lively debut in black and gold colours late on Saturday, drawing a penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw with Chicago.

“This was an exciting time for a whole week joining LAFC, it was huge,” Son told reporters. “There was only one thing I wanted to do and today, being on the pitch, I think it was fantastic.

“With the result it’s a little bit disappointing, because I think we should have gotten three points here, but generally I think I’m very, very happy and excited.

“I really enjoyed it. You never had this coming from away games. I used to play in the Premier League. When I played at away grounds they were always booing me and always booing the players. But it was nice to see people were celebrating, people were enjoying the football.”

Son’s move is expected to resonate with Los Angeles’ sizeable Korean community. The team’s stadium is just south of Koreatown.

He follows in the footsteps of other international stars who have joined LAFC, including Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini, Olivier Giroud as well as former Tottenham teammates Gareth Bale and Hugo Lloris.

“I want to do well for MLS because I came here to make this league big,” Son said.

LAFC are fifth in the Western Conference and next visit New England Revolution on August 16.

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)