Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld explains what persuaded him to sign new deal
Toby Alderweireld has signed a new deal at Tottenham, keeping him at the club until 2023.
Tottenham: Toby Alderweireld 'very happy' with new contract
Toby Alderweireld has explained why he put pen to paper on a new deal at Tottenham after signing a new contract which keeps him at the club until 2023. The Belgian defender has extended his deal with his previous contract having been set to expire in the summer.
A number of clubs had been linked with the centre-back, including Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Manchester United.
But the 30-year-old will stay in north London and revealed he couldn’t see himself anywhere else.
Alderweireld said: “No words can describe another couple of years at Spurs. There is no place I can be happier.
“I’m honoured to play for this club and I’m a small piece of getting to the next level in a couple of seasons, to reach the Champions League season in, season out, going to the final as well. This is just the beginning of something big and something exciting.
“If you’re happy and enjoying yourself, time will fly. My family is very happy here and I have a good connection for the fans.
JUST IN: What Mikel Arteta plans to do with Freddie Ljungberg when he becomes Arsenal manager
“I had a lot of respect for Ajax but now I’m a Spurs player and I couldn’t see myself playing for another team. I’ve got the love for the club and it feels both ways.
“I’m living some sort of dream.
“From the beginning, they [the team] accepted me very well and now it’s like friends. We all work for each other and want to achieve big things.
“You couldn’t achieve what we have without a good group and now we have gone from young players to more adult and now it’s time to be even better.
“We want to get top four, it’s important to get Champions league again.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd have problem with Erling Haaland transfer despite willing to meet asking price [GOSSIP]
Chelsea draw up six-man transfer shortlist as Frank Lampard wants new forward in January [RUMOURS]
Man Utd transfer target Jadon Sancho closer to Dortmund exit after they scout replacement [LATEST]
“We showed last season in the Champions League that we can beat any team and I think we are going in the right direction.”
Tottenham reached the Champions League final last season but were beaten by Liverpool in Madrid.
That was under Mauricio Pochettino though the Argentine was sacked recently and replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Alderweireld recently said: “I feel lucky to work for him, so I’ll just do my best like I always do.”
Tottenham face London rivals Chelsea on Sunday in their next Premier League match.