New deal for Bale
Gareth Bale has signed a new four-and-a-half year
contract at Tottenham.
The 21-year-old winger has earned a global reputation this
season after some outstanding displays in the Champions League,
highlighted by his hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San
Siro.
Manager Harry Redknapp told the club's website: "It's great to
have Gareth sign a new contract at the club. He is a fantastic
player and the type of player we need to be keeping at Spurs.
Gareth is now one of the top left sided players in the world, he
really is an amazing talent and can only get better. He is a
smashing lad as well which is equally as important."
Bale's achievements have led a host of European clubs, led by
Inter, to cast admiring glances in his direction, but Redknapp has
been adamant he is not for sale - a position strengthened by the
new deal.
"He has got his whole future ahead and he has everything going
for him," Redknapp added.
The Wales international joined Spurs from Southampton at the age
of 17, and has since made 112 appearances, scoring 17 goals. Most
of those have come since he moved forward from his original
left-back position to play on the wing, a switch that rejuvenated
his career which at once stage appeared stalled as he struggled for
a place in the side.
"I am enjoying my football at Tottenham. I want us to keep going
forward as a team and hopefully we can achieve big things," Bale
said.
"We have got a great squad that is still young and we are going
places. It is great to commit to this club and hopefully we can
achieve what we believe we can with this squad. The players want
what the fans want, and performing in front of these fans is a
special experience.
"I definitely believe we can challenge for a title very soon.
That is why I have signed. Every year as a minimum we are aiming to
qualify for the Champions League so we are definitely going in the
right direction.
"We have proven in the Champions League this season that we can
compete with the best and we are in the last eight now and there is
no reason we can't go further this season and in years to
come."
The Press Association