Saturday, March 19, 2011

Bale signs new Tottenham contract

? Wales international agrees four-and-a-half year extension
? Spurs manager Harry Redknapp hails 'fantastic player'

Gareth Bale has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract to remain at Tottenham. The 21-year-old winger has earned admirers across Europe this season after some outstanding displays in the Champions League, highlighted by his hat-trick against Inter at San Siro.

"It's great to have Gareth sign a new contract at the club," the Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, said. "He is a fantastic player and the type of player we need to be keeping at Spurs.

"Gareth is now one of the top left-sided players in the world. He really is an amazing talent and can only get better. He is a smashing lad as well, which is equally as important."

Bale's achievements have led to interest from a host of clubs but Redknapp has been adamant he is not for sale ? a position strengthened by the new deal. "He has got his whole future ahead and he has everything going for him," Redknapp said.

The Wales international joined Spurs from Southampton at the age of 17, and has since made 112 appearances, scoring 17 goals. Most of those have come since he moved forward from his original left-back position to play on the wing, a switch that rejuvenated a career that at one stage appeared stalled as he struggled for a place in the side.

But the days when he was perhaps best known for setting a record of playing in 24 Premier League games for Tottenham without once being on the winning side are now forgotten.

"I am enjoying my football at Tottenham. I want us to keep going forward as a team and hopefully we can achieve big things," Bale said. "We have got a great squad that is still young and we are going places. It is great to commit to this club and hopefully we can achieve what we believe we can with this squad. The players want what the fans want, and performing in front of these fans is a special experience.

"I definitely believe we can challenge for a title very soon. That is why I have signed. Every year as a minimum we are aiming to qualify for the Champions League, so we are definitely going in the right direction.

"We have proven in the Champions League this season that we can compete with the best and we are in the last eight now, and there is no reason we can't go further this season and in years to come."


guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/19/gareth-bale-signs-tottenham-contract

Family finances Lisa Allardice Dance music Motherwell Newspapers Manchester City

No comments:

Post a Comment