“I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it’s the right time to say goodbye. We’ve had some special times together over the years and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.
“I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have.
“Tottenham will always be in my heart and I’m sure that this season will be a successful one for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.”
Meanwhile, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy added:
“Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future. He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.
“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.
“We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top internationals. More importantly, we have an immense team spirit and a dressing room that is hungry for success.
The Welsh international has been consistently linked with the move over the course of the summer, with the deal finally completed following intensive and protracted negotiations between Tottenham and Real.
Bale makes the switch to La Liga after a series of memorable seasons at Tottenham, in which he has been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2013.
The 24-year-old was last season credited with spearheading Tottenham’s ultimately unsuccessful top-four challenge, scoring 21 goals in 33 appearances in the league.
Real Madrid sign Gareth Bale for reported €100million fee (finally!)
Updated at 19.23
GARETH BALE HAS finally moved to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €100million euros, it has today been announced by the Spanish club.
In a statement on the Spurs website, Gareth Bale said:
“I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it’s the right time to say goodbye. We’ve had some special times together over the years and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.
Meanwhile, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy added:
“Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future. He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.
“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.
The Welsh international has been consistently linked with the move over the course of the summer, with the deal finally completed following intensive and protracted negotiations between Tottenham and Real.
Bale makes the switch to La Liga after a series of memorable seasons at Tottenham, in which he has been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2013.
The 24-year-old was last season credited with spearheading Tottenham’s ultimately unsuccessful top-four challenge, scoring 21 goals in 33 appearances in the league.
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