Jan Vertonghen believes he is ready to face the challenges of the Premier League head on after agreeing to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs new boy looking forward to English challenge
Jan Vertonghen believes he is ready to face the challenges of the Premier League head on after agreeing to join Tottenham Hotspur.
The centre-half arrives at White Hart Lane having forged quite a reputation during his time at Ajax.
A number of clubs were keen to add his defensive qualities to their ranks, but it is Spurs who have secured his signature.
Vertonghen is delighted to have seen a protracted transfer saga reach a conclusion and is confident he can handle the demands of life in the English top-flight.
"I am very relieved," he told
Sky Sports News HD.
"It went on for a long time, but I'm glad I'm a Tottenham player right now and I'm looking forward to playing for the club.
"I am 25 years old now and I feel ready to play in the Premier League. I have heard a lot of good stories from my Belgian team-mates. I think I'm ready."
Fans
Tottenham first made their interest in Vertonghen known during Harry Redknapp's managerial reign, but he has since been replaced by Andre Villas-Boas.
Vertonghen said: "I heard that Harry Redknapp really wanted me to play for Tottenham, but now it's Andre Villas-Boas. To me, that doesn't matter. I just want to play for the club and I hope I can please the fans at the club."
Spurs have already agreed a deal for Hoffenheim playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson this summer and are doing all they can to keep the highly sought-after Luka Modric in north London.
Vertonghen hopes the Croatian can be persuaded to stay, with Tottenham setting their sights on another top-four challenge next season.
He said: "They have a lot of good players and I hope they will stay. I am not one of the directors, but I hope the players will stay and we will have a good team next year."
