Squad update

Following the closure of the summer transfer window, our four new arrivals - Sandro, William Gallas, Stipe Pletikosa and Rafael Van der Vaart - have been given squad numbers for the season.

Brazilian international midfielder Sandro arrived at the Club this week having won the Copa Libertadores with previous club Internacional a fortnight ago and will wear the number 30 shirt.

Experienced French defender Gallas joins us on a one-year contract and will wear the number 13 shirt.

Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa arrives on a season-long loan from Spartak Moscow and will wear the number 37 jersey.

And the final arrival of the latest transfer window, Dutch international midfielder Van der Vaart, has been given the number 11 shirt.

In line with new regulations, the Club this week submitted a list of 25 players submitted to the Premier League, forming the squad of players that will be eligible to play in the competition from now until January 1 (alongside players under the age of 21).

The squad list, in alphabetical order, is as follows:

1. Benoit Assou-Ekotto
2. Sebastien Bassong
3. David Bentley
4. Vedran Corluka
5. Peter Crouch
6. Carlo Cudicini
7. Heurelho Gomes
8. Michael Dawson
9. Jermain Defoe
10. William Gallas
11. Tom Huddlestone
12. Alan Hutton
13. Jermaine Jenas
14. Younes Kaboul
15. Robbie Keane
16. Ledley King
17. Niko Kranjcar
18. Aaron Lennon
19. Luka Modric
20. Kyle Naughton
21. Jamie O'Hara
22. Wilson Palacios
23. Roman Pavlyuchenko
24. Stipe Pletikosa
25. Rafael Van der Vaart

Please note, all players under the age of 21 as of January 1, 2010, are also eligible to play in Premier League matches in 2010-2011.

Van der Vaart deal confirmed

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Rafael Van der Vaart.

The Holland international came through the ranks at Ajax and won two league titles during 141 appearances with the Eredivisie side, scoring 60 goals before leaving for Hamburg in the summer of 2005.

The attacking midfielder, 27, was the Bundesliga side's leading scorer in his first season in Germany and went on to captain the side before joining Real Madrid ahead of the 2007/08 campaign.

Rafael has been capped by Holland a total of 83 times, scoring 16 goals, since making his international debut against Andorra in 2001 at the age of 18.

He has since represented the Netherlands at two European Championships and two World Cups, including this summer's tournament in South Africa where he featured five times in the side's run to the Final.

Sandro 'delighted to be here'

Sandro has arrived at Spurs Lodge this week and admits he cannot wait to get started on an exciting new chapter in his young career.

The Brazilian international midfielder, signed from Internacional, has begun training with his new team-mates fresh from Copa Libertadores success with his former club.

He reveals how our fourth place Premier League finish last season has been an inspiration to him as he now looks to be part of further glory days at the Lane.

The 21-year-old is particularly looking forward to competing in the Champions League and feels he has the credentials to be a big hit in English football.

Sandro said: "It is a pleasure to finally be here. I am extremely happy that I have been given the opportunity to join a club like Spurs.

"I cannot wait to get out on to the pitch and show all the fans what I can do. I am determined to make a positive impression on English football and help Spurs move on to a new level.

"Spurs are a team who are talked about a lot in Brazil. They are one of the biggest teams not only in England but also in Europe because of their history.

"I watched every game last season when Spurs were going for fourth place, cheering them on and hoping they would qualify. When they finally did achieve qualification it was an absolutely fantastic moment."

He continued: "The Champions League is the best club competition in the world and I am looking forward to competing at this level. I know Spurs has everything that it takes to go further in the competition and I will do everything I can to help.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. It is a strong league played at great pace and I think my style of play will adapt quickly to this kind of football."

Sandro admits it has not been easy leaving Internacional, the club where he grew up, at such a tender age.

But he expresses his determination at furthering his career at Spurs and feels he experienced the perfect send-off to life in his homeland.

He added: "It was a fantastic moment to win the Copa Libertadores. I was understandably delighted to win it with teammates who I have been with for many years.

"Internacional helped me grow as a footballer and a person from a very young age and it was a great achievement to leave on such a high.

"It was a fantastic achievement and now I hope to have many more successes with my new team. I have a fantastic opportunity here at Tottenham I am absolutely delighted to be here."

Friday, 27 August 2010

Huntelaar in Loan Move to Tottenham


The Mirror have reported that Daniel Levy is currently in talks with AC Milan over the possibility of bringing International Dutch striker, Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar, to White Hart Lane in a season-long loan deal.

The deal could include the option to buy at the end of the loan contract, with the sum reported to be in the region of £12 million.

Champions League, here we come!

Fans 'massive for us' - Harry

Harry Redknapp insists the crowd will play a huge part as we bid to make the group stages of the Champions League.

We take on Young Boys of Switzerland in the play-off, second leg at the Lane tomorrow night, Wednesday August 25.

We have to turn around a 3-2 deficit from last week's first leg at the Stade de Suisse to take the final step into Europe's elite competition.

"The place will be jumping and that will be a big thing in our favour," said Harry.

"We have to make it an intimidating atmosphere and we've got to go out there and play our football.

"We have to move the ball quickly, play with pace and when we do that we have players who can open up any defence. We've proved that at White Hart Lane.

"The crowd will play a big part, for sure. They will be fantastic. It will be a great atmosphere and we have to swarm all over them from the start."

Luka Modric is out of tomorrow night's Champions League play-off, second leg against Young Boys at White Hart Lane.

The Croatian playmaker was forced out of last week's first leg with a groin problem, missed Saturday's win at Stoke and didn't train this morning (Tuesday, August 24).

However, Harry Redknapp reported better news on the other four players injured in Bern.

Giovani, Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko all trained this morning.

Harry said: "Luka Modric is not fit, but the other lads came out and joined in training, so hopefully they'll be okay. We'll wait to see if they have any reaction.

"Luka's a top player, a fantastic player, but we've had to play without him before.

"We had a long spell last season when he was out and we coped okay. We were without him at Stoke on Saturday as well and we were outstanding. It was a great to go and win there."

We are delighted to announce the signing of William Gallas on a one year deal.

The France international was part of the Chelsea side that won back-to-back Premier League titles as well as the League Cup in 2005. His performances during Chelsea's second Premier League-winning campaign saw him included in the 2005/06 PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

The former Caen and Marseille defender, 33, left Stamford Bridge after five seasons, during which he made 213 appearances and scored 14 goals, to join Arsenal in September 2006. Gallas captained the side during the 2007/08 campaign and went on to make 145 appearances, scoring 17 goals before leaving at the end of last season.

  FA Premier Academy League
         Derby County Academy
      Morley Road, Oakwood, Derby.

   Saturday 21st August 2010, k.o.12am

   DERBY COUNTY U18   V     SPURS U18                   1 : 2
  (White/Black)      (All Light Blue)

Harry Redknapp reports that we could travel to Stoke with just one fit striker on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe (groin), Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle) and Robbie Keane (jarred knee) are all struggling.

That leaves Peter Crouch available up front for what is always one of the toughest away trips in the Barclays Premier League at the Britannia Stadium.

Giovani (hamstring) and Luka Modric (groin) are also doubtful after Tuesday night's Champions League play-off first leg encounter at Young Boys in Switzerland took its toll.

Boss Harry told his media briefing on Friday: "We've picked up so many injuries in that one game, it's unbelievable really.

"Jermain, Robbie, Pavlyuchenko - all out. Giovani as well

"It leaves me with Peter Crouchy. It's not a bad one to have, but that's all we've got."

David Bentley (ankle), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) remain sidelined.

Redknapp confirms Gallas deal

Sandro has won South America's top prize with our club partners Internacional of Brazil.

Our summer signing played the full 90 minutes as Inter won the second leg of the Copa Libertadores - the equivalent of the Champions League in South American football - 3-2 against Chivas of Mexico to make it a 5-3 aggregate victory for the team from Porto Alegre.

The midfielder saw an early half-chance saved before Chivas levelled the tie overall at 2-2 with a goal just before half-time.

But Inter turned it around in the second half with goals from Rafael Sobis, Leandro Damiao and Giuliano putting them 5-2 up on aggregate, much to the delight of over 50,000 fans in Inter's Beira-Rio Stadium.

It eventually ended 5-3 on aggregate and Brazilian legend Pele was on hand to present the trophy.

Sandro is scheduled to arrive here at Spurs next week.

Daws in England squad

Michael Dawson has been named in a 23-man England squad for Wednesday night's friendly with Hungary on Wednesday.

Fabio Capello's men will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup campaign this summer.

Defender 'Daws' was part of the squad in South Africa but did not feature at the tournament, meaning he is still looking to win his first senior international cap.

Ledley King is hopeful of being fit for the start of the new season after getting through 45 minutes against Ipswich Town without any set-backs.

King started the 1-0 victory over Ipswich for a Spurs XI whilst the remainder of the first team were out in Portugal defeating Benfica by the same scoreline.

The centre-back’s injury problems have received much press over the years, but feels he has recovered from his latest knock to be available for selection for the season’s opener against Manchester City.

“It’s always great to get those first 45 minutes under your belt.

“Things have gone well so far far in pre-season and it’s a nice touch to get out there and do that work.

“I’ve had some good training sessions and we didn’t want to push the game too early, so it’s ideal to get out there, play 45 minutes and hopefully now I’ll play some part against Fiorentina on Saturday and look to build up for the start of the season.

“This season has certainly come around quickly, especially for the lads who were at the World Cup.

“One more friendly and as many training sessions as we can fit in and we’re back into it. The important thing is that we’re ready for City.”

King looked in good form against Ipswich, providing that typical solid defensive foil for Ben Alnwick which will be all so critical for Spurs once the new season gets underway.

Ledley King is back in action as our Spurs XI team take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road tonight.

It's the club captain's first friendly of the summer having returned to Spurs Lodge last week after World Cup duty with England.

Ledley is joined by senior professionals Younes Kaboul, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Ben Alnwick for the 7.45pm kick-off at Portman Road.

Jonathan Obika, Jake Livermore and Ryan Mason are also in the squad, plus a number of Academy players just back from finishing second in the Eurofoot tournament in Belgium.

Squad: Alnwick, Smith, Byrne, Livermore, King, Kaboul, Parrett, Dawkins, Pavklyuchenko, Kane, M'poku, Mason, Oyenuga, Durojaiye, Obika, Nicholson, Carroll.