Tottenham have completed the signing of Maximus Tainio, son of former Spurs midfielder Teemu Tainio
HJK Helsinki confirmed on their official website that they had reached an agreement with Spurs over the transfer of highly-rated 15-year old Maximus Tainio. Tainio will switch to Tottenham in the summer and is expected to slot straight into their Under-18 side.
The junior Tainio had three meetings with Spurs officials before agreeing a move to the North London side. He also trained with Spurs and participated in two matches with the youth team, before a deal was eventually struck last Friday.
Both Tainios were understandably happy with the deal, and speaking to Helsinki’s official website, Maximus Tainio revealed his excitement at the deal, particularly as he felt it was a rare opportunity for Finnish players.
“I’m so happy about the contract, this is quite rare for Finnish players. The future is also exciting.” he said. “Coaches praise my ability to predict the movements of others and to find the right pass. My input is good and I defend well.”
Teemu Tainio also revealed his pride at the deal, while admitting that he had not seen a future in football for his son until a few years ago. He also said the real work begins now for his son, as Tottenham represent a new level of competition for him.
“This is where the work begins. Now the doors have been opened and the boy has a real chance to show his abilities. What follows depends on himself,” he said. ” About four years ago we moved to Finland I did not think that Maximus had a future as a footballer, but he has developed incredibly.”
The senior Tainio spent 3 years with Tottenham between 2005-2008 and 61 appearances for them, scoring 3 goals. Tainio became known as a utility man during his time there, having played in a variety of positions in midfield and even as a right-back under Juande Ramos.
The highlight of his Tottenham career came in the 2007-08 season, when Tainio won the League Cup with Tottenham, with Spurs famously thrashing their fierce rivals Arsenal 6-2 on aggregate in the semi-final that year.
Tainio looks set to join Tottenham at a time when Mauricio Pochettino has managed to build a young core at White Hart Lane and with the Argentinian known for his ability to develop youngsters, Tainio’s future seems to be in safe hands.
Tottenham fans will be hoping that Maximus Tainio can go on to have a similar, if not more, sort of impact for Tottenham as his father did. If the words of Helsinki’s management and Tainio’s father are to be believed, then the younger Tainio has the potential to surpass even his father’s accomplishments.
