Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid on a 5-year contract. The 26-year old Belgian spent last season on loan at Southampton where he made 26 appearances for the Saints.
The transfer has not been without controversy. Earlier this week, Simon Peach of the Press Association broke the news that Southampton were threatening a legal challenge against Atletico Madrid if Alderweireld moved to Spurs or any other club. Included in the original loan agreement between Southampton and Atletico was a clause which allowed Southampton to buy Alderweireld for £6.8 million, while Atletico had the option to cancel the said clause for £1.5 million. The believed basis of the legal challenge was Southampton’s claim that Atletico did not pay the clause by the specified deadline. Atletico believe that they did and thus continued to push through the transfer of Alderweireld to Spurs. Today that deal has been completed following the completion of Alderweireld’s medical earlier this week.
This signing should complete the end of Pochettino’s improvement to his defence following the signings of center-back Kevin Wimmer and right-back Kieran Trippier. Alderweireld is expected to link up with compatriot and former team-mate Jan Vertonghen at Spurs. Both players played together at Ajax and formed the spine of the defence of the team that won two Eredivisie titles.
The defender joins players he knows from Belgium national set-up and also says he’s “very proud to be a Spurs player” and also hopes for a “wonderful time”
Southampton’s loss may prove to be Tottenham’s gain if Alderweireld can retain his form from last season as the North London side look to break into the top four for the first time in 5 years.
