Tottenham signs Victor Wanyama from Southampton
Tottenham have completed the signing of midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton for a fee of around £11 fee Million.
The 24-year-old Kenyan completed a medical earlier this week and has agreed a five-year deal at White Hart Lane.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino signed Wanyama for Southampton in a £12 million deal from Celtic in July 2013 and he is the first player to be reunited with the Argentine in North London — although Toby Alderweireld joined Spurs last summer after spending a season on loan at St. Mary’s from Atletico Madrid.
Wanyama made 85 league appearances for the south-coast club, scoring four goals.
Wanyama, who moved to Southampton from Celtic in 2013.
He asked to leave last summer after interest from Spurs but stayed, helping Southampton to a sixth-place finish.
Wanyama has penned an open letter to Southampton fans on his official website to thank them for their support during his time at St Mary’s.
“It is very emotional for me to say goodbye to the club that gave me the chance to be the first Kenyan to play in Premier League.” he said on www.victorwanyama.co.uk.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the most important part of every club, the fans. I want to reassure you that any ‘quotes’ you have read about in the media before my move was announced are false. I would never disrespect you by talking to the media before I have talked to you guys.
“It took a while for me to win you all over but I can truly say that with your support and affection I have grown as a player and a person.
“You guys have always been there to lift us up when we were down, and to celebrate with us when we were playing well. I feel really proud that I got the opportunity to wear the Southampton shirt.
“Secondly, football is a team sport and it wouldn’t be right not to thank my amazing teammates. Jose [Fonte], thanks for leading the team and always being there to pick us up when we needed encouragement. Thanks to the rest of the team for always giving 100 per cent effort, I will miss all of you.
“I also want to thank every member of the Southampton staff: those who work behind the scenes and never get credit for their contribution to our success on the pitch. We are nothing without you.
“I will never forget my time in Southampton Football Club, I will keep club forever in my heart.”
The signing is Spurs’ first since they finished third in the Premier League to secure a place in the 2016-17 Champions League group stages.
He moved to Scotland from Belgian club Germinal Beerschot for an undisclosed fee in July 2011, having initially joined Helsingborgs of Sweden in 2007.
