'Tottenham former teammate' Timo Werner (29) joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, news that Son Heung-min (33, LAFC) reacted to.
MLS club San Jose Earthquakes announced on the 30th (KST) on the club's official website that they had signed forward Werner, who played for German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, on a permanent transfer. The contract runs through June 2028.
Son Heung-min reacted when news of Werner's transfer broke. Son, currently playing for LAFC, shared Werner's post on his social media account. It contained a message congratulating him on his new start in the U.S. Werner posted a photo from their Tottenham days celebrating the Europa League victory together.
San Jose registered him as a designated player. The designated player rule is an MLS salary cap exception. Clubs can have up to three designated players. Only part of the salary and transfer fee counts toward the cap. The excess amount is borne by the club. Through this rule, top European players such as David Beckham and Lionel Messi have joined MLS.
To make this signing, San Jose secured the discovery priority held by the New York Red Bulls. In return, they paid $50,000 in allocation money this year (about 71 million won). The discovery right grants the authority to negotiate first with a specific player.
Werner will join the team once visa and international transfer certificate procedures are completed.
San Jose general manager and head coach Bruce Arena did not hide his expectations. He said, "He is a player who will be a great help to the team. This is a meaningful signing for San Jose and the local community. He will add performance, experience and leadership to the team."
Werner accumulated significant experience on the European stage. He played in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League. He also experienced the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. As a Tottenham Hotspur player, he won the Europa League. The teammate who lifted the trophy with him was Son Heung-min. In Germany he won the DFB-Pokal and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. With the German national team he tasted victory in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Werner said, "Deciding to go to the U.S. was not easy. But I felt the conditions for success were in place. The club's plan was impressive. I will give everything in every game."
Since his professional debut, Werner has built his career moving between Germany and England. He has appeared in 451 official matches and scored 154 goals. He has 54 assists in league competition. His play is characterized by high speed. That is why he earned the nickname "Turbo Timo."
San Jose aims to rebound with Werner at the forefront. The new MLS season starts with the opener against Sporting Kansas City on Feb. 22.
[Photo] San Jose, Son Heung-min social media account
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