Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, Saturday April 8, 2023. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)
SEOUL: Son Heung-min has become the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, the latest milestone in a career full of many.
Son hit the century mark with a 10th-minute strike against Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday (April 8). Son is also the first player to register 100 goals and 50 assists for Spurs.
Tottenham won the match 2-1 to improve to 53 points, to place them fifth in the table, reported Yonhap news agency.
Son's right-footed shot from outside the box was his seventh of the Premier League season and 11th in all competitions.
He joins the ranks of the 34 players with at least 100 goals in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old attacker dedicated his landmark goal to his late grandfather, who passed away earlier this month.
"This was something that I dreamed about. It is an amazing achievement which I wouldn't have had without my teammates," he told BBC Sport afterward.
"Scoring 100 goals in the Premier League is a massive thing. I was really emotional because I have had tough moments in the last few weeks. My granddad passed away, and it was not easy. I want to send that goal to him," he added.
Son also said he hoped his success would inspire young football players.
"I hope all the Asian players, especially in South Korea, look at this achievement and believe they can do it as well," Son said. "It's a good thing for Asia and I to take a big responsibility to be a good example to help the young guys. I want them to believe an Asian player can do amazing things in the Premier League." –Bernama/Yonhap
