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Friday, 25 May 2007, 19:18 GMT 20:18 UK

Tottenham complete Bale transfer

Gareth Bale Tottenham have completed the signing of Southampton's teenage Welsh international defender Gareth Bale.

Southampton said Spurs will make an immediate payment of £5m, with further additional payments that could see the transfer fee rise to £10m.

The 17-year-old Bale said: "I'm just excited to be coming to a massive club like Spurs. It's pushing forward and I want to be part of its future."

Bale had only one year left on his Southampton contract.

The youngster had also been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United.

606: DEBATE

Spurs had a bid of about £10m accepted by Saints in January, but Bale rejected the transfer at that time.

Following Southampton's failure to gain promotion this season the prospect of first-team football in the Premiership at Tottenham looks to have been enough to change his mind.

"I really want to play in the Premiership," added Bale. "That's very important to me and this is a fantastic opportunity. I've thought long and hard about it and feel the time is right to move on.

"I could have gone in January but I wanted to try and help Saints win promotion. I felt I owed them that and I didn't want to move mid-season.

"I wanted to keep my focus on learning and developing my game at a critical stage of the campaign."

Bale made his debut as a 16-year-old last year for Saints - becoming the second youngest to ever play for the club - and this season he has become a regular for Southampton and Wales.

"He's so young and has plenty of time, he'll be a star in the Premiership"
James Collins on Bale

He became the youngest Welsh international when he played against Trinidad & Tobago in May last year, setting up a late winner.

Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli said: "We have been following Gareth for a long time now and have been very tenacious, so we are absolutely delighted to get him here.

"He's a player of great quality and, as we always say, our aim in each window is to improve the quality of the squad. He has the ideal combination to become a top, top player."




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Related to this story:

Summer transfers in photos (25 May 07 |  Football )
How good is Gareth Bale? (26 May 07 |  Tottenham Hotspur )
Bale to be a Premier star - Giggs (26 May 07 |  Tottenham Hotspur )
Burley glad 'circus' has moved on (01 Feb 07 |  Southampton )
Bale opts to stay at Southampton (31 Jan 07 |  Football )
Spurs lead Bale chase - Ferguson (27 Jan 07 |  Man Utd )
Wenger will not join Bale chase (26 Jan 07 |  Arsenal )
Burley laughs off latest Bale bid (18 Jan 07 |  Southampton )
Burley denies Spurs link to Bale (24 Dec 06 |  Southampton )
Saints say Bale is not for sale (22 Nov 06 |  Southampton )
Bale agrees new Southampton deal (17 Jul 06 |  Southampton )
Bale savours record Wales debut (28 May 06 |  Internationals )

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