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Jan Vertonghen completes Tottenham move from Ajax
Tottenham Hotspur have signed defender Jan Vertonghen from Ajax after he completed the formalities of his move.
Belgium international Vertonghen, 25, becomes new manager Andre Villas-Boas's second signing after Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Jan Vertonghen
- Born: 24 April 1987 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
- Position: Left-footed central defender who has been known to play in a defensive midfield role
- Won two Dutch top-flight titles
- Spent part of the 2006-07 campaign with RKC Waalwijk, who were relegated that season
- Belgium debut: June 2007, a 2-1 Euro qualifier defeat by Portugal
- Caps: 38 (two goals)
Tottenham have refused to disclose how much they have agreed to pay for Vertonghen, who had a year left on his contract in Amsterdam.
They had seen two bids rejected as Ajax wanted £12m for the centre-half who made 220 appearances for Ajax.
A Tottenham statement read: "We are delighted to announce that Jan Vertonghen has completed his transfer from Ajax after successfully passing his medical."
The 2011-12 Dutch player of the year will offer Villas-Boas more defensive options with Ledley King's future still uncertain and Ryan Nelsen having moved to QPR.
Spurs had been tracking the Belgium defender, who captained Ajax to their second successive Eredivisie title last season, for some time.
He scored 10 times in 37 games for Ajax last season and was named their player of the year.
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Comment number 144.
Michael_8310th July 2012 - 20:14
Vertonghen is the best defender we've had by Ajax after Jaap Stam and Thomas Vermaelen left. So I think he will do a good job in London. What's maybe unknown to many he has a great shot and is dangerous with his head aswell. Good luck!
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Comment number 143.
Jacksonlovesspurs10th July 2012 - 7:56
Brilliant signing for spurs. A few days into the new management and we already have a young quick midfielder and a strong experienced defender. Still think we are lacking a target man who can lead our attack and partner vdv. Adebayor maybe?
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Comment number 142.
Audere_est_facere9th July 2012 - 23:55
I think this is a good signing, I only hear good things about Vertonghen. This will be the nail in the coffin for Ledley king's career now which is a shame as he has been a great servant to the club, I hope he will still be at the club in a coaching role. Believe Caulker deserves in a run in the team with his impressive loan spell at Swansea last year. Any update on souleymane coulibaly at all?
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Comment number 141.
uknowimright519th July 2012 - 23:45
Spurs will finish above Chelsea again this season...........FACT!!!!
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Comment number 140.
humpty_dumpty779th July 2012 - 23:04
40.lex_dexter
8th July 2012 - 19:57
its just a real shame that Spurs are reduced to this kind of desparate signing. not to mention the damage it's doing to English football bringing in yet another over rated over paid over the hill foreigner.
Its just a shame for the game as a whole i feel.
This from a Chelsea supporter? Seriously do you guys actually have a clue about anything?
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Comments 5 of 144