Son Heung-min admitted that LAFC was initially “not my first choice” as he sought a new club earlier this year, but said Wednesday that LAFC general manager John Thorrington “changed my mind” on their very first phone call after Son’s 10th and final season with Tottenham concluded this spring.

Son, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, led the north London club to their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.