Spurs agree Vertonghen deal
Jan Vertonghen is set to become Andre Villas-Boas' second signing at Tottenham
Tottenham are set to finally complete the signing of Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen after the club announced it had agreed terms on Sunday.
Spurs have been tracking the Belgium defender since last season as he helped Ajax claim their second consecutive Eredivisie title. Vertonghen is due to undergo a medical this week before completing a deal that will make him the second arrival since Andre Villas-Boas took over as Spurs boss.
"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Jan Vertonghen, subject to a medical," a statement on the club's website read.
"The 2011/12 campaign was the Belgium international's most successful season to date - being named Ajax captain at the start and going on to lead the Dutch side to their second straight league title.
"The centre back's impressive performances did not go unnoticed as he was named Eredivisie Player of the Year as well as Ajax's Player of the Year in a season that saw him score 10 times in 37 appearances. In total, Jan made 220 appearances and scored 28 goals for Ajax since making his debut for them in 2006."
Vertonghen will bolster a Spurs central defence that has been weakened over the summer following the departures of long-serving former captain Ledley King and Ryan Nelsen.
The 25-year-old is the second signing of Villas-Boas' short tenure so far after Gylfi Sigurdsson agreed a move to White Hart Lane last week.
Vertonghen said of his impending switch to Spurs: "I'm 25 years old and I feel ready to play in the Premier League. I've heard a lot of good stories from my Belgium team-mates, so I think I'm ready for the club."
The defender is also hoping Spurs can keep hold of their key players, such as Luka Modric who has been heavily linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer.
"They have a lot of good players and I hope the most important players will stay, but that's my opinion, I'm not one of the directors. I hope the players will stay and we have a good team next season," he told Sky Sports News.
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Very good signing by Spurs!
Looks like they'll have a decent team next season with a quality manager that wants to play attacking passing footie. AVB should do a lot better at Spurs than at Chelsea, he has the players there that can perform the way he wants.
Top 4 finish is a real possibility for them again next season, let's hope they get the CL footie they deserved this time!!!
S'up Clive mate, how's it going. He should be good, I like the way our defence is looking, I really rate Caulker, so having him as back up to Vertonghen and Kaboul is pretty decent, plus we have Dawson.
Exciting times for Liverpool as well dude, I hope come Xmas I am not saying to myself
" I wish we had got Rogers"
Lots of similarites between him and AVB with the way they approach the game. You never know mate, we could be the top 2 teams in the league, he he, a man can dream can't he?
I am glad we got Gylfi instead of you but I ddidnt really see him being anymore than a squad player (at least intitially) for either of our great clubs. Roumers that he is on 70k per week at Spurs is just plain wrong, more like you offered somewhere between £25-£30k and we offered £40-£45k. TBH I think your offer was fair and you would of got him if you offered the same but I admire Rogers for sticking to his guns.
Arsenal wanted Vertonghen
Liverpool wanted Sigurdsson
Bale was wanted by just about everyone.
All decided to play for Spurs - I thought there was meant to be a player exodus? All Gooners and Chavs were saying all our players would leave and we will get relegated next year. Dream on. Spurs still progressing. COYS
We need a RB, CB, back up GK, and attacking mid desperately. Oh well bye bye Vertonghen, I look forward to some random kid nobody's ever heard of who has 'good potential' coming in and taking 2 seasons to adapt :/ what a signing for Spurs. And Sigurddson too, impressive. AVB at the helm Spurs can go places next season, Modric or not.
David - I hope you are right. He will either be a huge sucess or as HERD says, will be the first manager to get sacked. Big risk. Vertonghen is a great signing, could take him a while to adapt, but from what I have seen he likes to get stuck in, which will stand him in good sted for the toughest league in the world that we all love so much. Not to have a dig or anything Dave but I thought the RVP comment was slightly disrespectful towards Arsenal fans and AW himself, a man who has supported him throughout his entire career. We will be battling it out again next year I am sure
