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Mousa Dembele left Tottenham for THIS reason… Belgian expert reveals transfer truth
MOUSA DEMBELE left Tottenham for Chinese club Guangzhou R&F because he wanted to play in “a less demanding” league following a litany of injuries.
Mousa Dembele praises his Spurs 'family' ahead of transfer
The 31-year-old Belgium midfielder, who would have been out of contract in the summer, has signed a three-year deal, according to his new club.
Dembele joined Tottenham from Fulham for £15million in 2012 and made 250 appearances, but had not played since November 3 due to an ankle injury.
The north London club are making a small loss on their dominant central midfielder, who is leaving for a reported £11million.
The midfielder said in an interview shown on Spurs' Twitter account: "I've always had a good experience here.
I go away with an unbelievable feeling and a certain love for the club
“I go away with an unbelievable feeling and with a certain love for the club.
"You always want this, because you have a long period at a club, you have a lot of love for the club but sometimes you separate in a bad way and I don't feel that way.
"Even the reaction I've had from the supporters, everyone is positive with me. They've wished me a lot of luck and happiness. The club is part of my family now."
In the end it was a constant string of injuries - Dembele has missed the last 18 games through an ankle problem - which proved the 31-year-old’s undoing.
Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur, who has covered Dembele’s career closely, revealed as much on Twitter following the announcement.
“He turns 32 [in the summer], has 6 months left on his contract, has over 50 (minor) injuries logged over the last 8 seasons and already admitted that his body has difficulties to cope with the physical demands of the PL. Wanted a less demanding league,” the Belgian journalist wrote.
Dembele polarised opinion in England - never quite hitting the numbers which reflected his talents, despite starting off as a striker.
While at times being called the league’s most underrated player, he is also considered overrated by some for that very reason.
And Terreur acknowledged that in another tweet, posting: “Overrated or just a player that you enjoy watching? The eternal discussion.
“Mousa Dembélé was never a killer, nor a provider. But everybody who played with him says he was one of the best around - power combined with swagger. They rate him. A baller.”