Tottenham Hotspur have today announced the signing of Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid, with the defender signing a contract that will keep him at the White Hart Lane until 2020.
The Belgium international spent last season on loan at English side Southampton, where he was impressive and the Saints wanted to exercise their right to sign the player, activating a permanent option in the loan contract. However, Atletico have now sold the player to Tottenham, and could now face legal action from Southampton.
Reports earlier suggested that Atletico had failed to cancel the A?6.8m buy-out clause, which was included in Alderweireld’s loan deal, within the stipulated time. The Spanish club were required to pay A?1.5 million, within the time frame mentioned in the deal to reserve the right to sell.
Atletico Madrid have released the following statement, regarding the sale of the 26-year-old- “Atletico de Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld to the club from White Hart Lane.
“The Belgian defender expressed his wish to our club of playing with Tottenham this season and the two clubs have finalised the transfer of the fullback to the Premier League team.”
Talking to the official website, the defender said- “I’m very proud to become a Spurs player.
“I’m very happy to be here and I hope to have a wonderful time with this team. From the beginning I knew a lot about [the club] from Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli.
“It’s a big club and it’s always been a dream to play at a club like Spurs. Now that dream is coming true so I’m very happy, very proud and I will give my best.”
“I know the players from the national team and I played with Jan at Ajax, we had a central defensive partnership. It’s nice when you join another club that you know a couple of players. I hope to get to know them a little better now.”
He added: “There is a lot of quality in the team and good, young players the club also wants to develop. Those two games were very tough for us, Spurs had a very good team. “I’m really looking forward to helping the team reach the goals we will set.”
SIGNED: We are delighted to announce the signing of @AlderweireldTob from Atletico Madrid. #WelcomeToby pic.twitter.com/CTThyOs7V7
a Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
Earlier this week, Ronald Koeman, Southampton manager had the following to say regarding the controversy surrounding Toby Alderweireld’s then rumored transfer to Tottenham- “Southampton signed the option for the player and Atletico Madrid is trying to buy back the option.
“In our knowledge it is and was too late. What happened with Tottenham in the middle I don’t know. Seriously, I don’t know. [Head of football development] Les Reed is working on that situation. I wait for more news on that situation with Toby.”
“Featured picture courtesy: official Tottenham Hotspur website”