There was at least some good news for Tottenham fans as Son Heung-min signed a new contract with the club, amid ongoing uncertainty over star striker Harry Kane's immediate future.
The announcement came directly from the man, with the 29-year-old South Korea international recording a message to inform everyone that he has signed a new four-year deal that will keep him at Spurs until 2025.
Son has become a favorite at Spurs since his departure from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, proving to be a popular figure among fans and his teammates.
As well as delivering the pitch regularly (his 107 goals in 280 appearances for Spurs are just the tip of the iceberg), Son has proven time and again that the purest gold heart beats in his chest.
So, to celebrate four more years of Son-Shine at Tottenham Stadium, here are four reasons why he is almost universally regarded as one of the best guys in football.
1. Takes seriously his duties as 'Uncle Putra'
Son Heung-Min has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 23, 2021
Quite possibly the nicest guy in football ❤️
(via kldh_dh/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/oSmd0BYqKL
Despite being suspended for Tottenham's final home game of the 2018–19 season, Son was able to park his disappointment and instead spend the afternoon entertaining his teammates' children.
Serving as a sort of immediate crche service, the Korean was in top form during the postmatch laps of honours, pleading with Erik Lamela's son and even distracting Christian Eriksson's child. , while dad posed for a picture.
The visuals caused a huge outpouring of joy on social media, with some fans even calling for Son to be awarded "A Ballon d'Or for Niceness" by FIFA.
Echoing his popularity in North London, Son is a true national hero back home, his fame and celebrity being compared to that of David Beckham.
He is widely respected as the captain of the South Korea national team and his country's premier athlete, with billboards and posters covering his face from Seoul to Gwangju.
However, in April 2019, son proved that love goes both ways. Horrified at the widespread wildfires in the country's northeastern region, Spurs men donated £100,000 to help those in need.
"This is nothing compared to the sacrifices the victims have made," he said at the time. "Even though I'm living abroad, I know what's happening in my country. I believe money doesn't matter. The most important thing on my mind is to do something for the victims."
Son has expressed an undying love for K-pop in the past, admitting that BTS is his boy band of choice.
After moving to Germany at the age of 16, Son revealed that he had come to rely on BTS' music to combat homesickness.
"If you're Korean, you listen to BTS," he told Volvo Korea. "They have become somewhat of a support system for me, helping me overcome the difficulties of living abroad. I appreciate them and I am their biggest fan."
Son has also ventured into fashion modeling while in London, becoming the unexpected face of designer Ralph Lauren's clothing range for Wimbledon 2021.
This despite the Spurs forward openly admitting that he doesn't play tennis at all.
"I wish I could play but I can't! I'm not good at it," he told GQ magazine.
Still, that didn't stop the son from looking razor-sharp in his pinstriped blazer and tie.
Son's boundless positive energy is famous, with Gareth Bale referring to his Spurs teammate as "the best man on earth" due to his ability to keep morale high among the squad.
The South Korean cut a shabby figure upon his early arrival at the club, although the six years since have seen a total change in character - the striker is now confident and comfortable enough to take the leading role in the dressing room.
One look at his smiling face and you can't help but feel the joy spreading throughout your existence.
— Hxtspur™️ (@HxtspurTM) June 7, 2020
However, we can't recall ever seeing Son happier than he appears to be while jigging around in this truly mesmerising commercial for a Korean ice cream brand.