Bye JD, all the best!
We have reached agreement with Toronto FC for the transfer of Jermain Defoe to the MLS side, with effect from February 28, 2014.
The 31 year-old striker first joined in February 2004 from West Ham, making 177 appearances and scoring 64 goals before leaving to join Portsmouth in January 2008. The England international was re-signed a year later and has since made 185 appearances, scoring 78 goals.
"Everybody knows how much this Club means to me and I will play my heart out for the team and the fans until my last kick for the Club. I have had a fantastic time here and the fans have always been amazing to me," said Jermain.
"I am grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family to experience living overseas and for me to play in the MLS with a contract that will take me to the age of 35. I have no doubt I shall be coming back as a fan supporting the team in the years to come too."
Head Coach Tim Sherwood added: "This is a great opportunity for Jermain and he feels it is one that he wishes to pursue. He has played a big part in the Club for many years and we all know he will give his best until his last minute in a Spurs shirt.
"We have several attacking options within our squad for the remaining dozen or so games of the season after Jermain departs and we shall keep our options under review. We also have a goal threat from players in other areas of the pitch including having wide players and attacking midfielders who will enable us to vary our shape when required."
Everybody at the Club wishes Jermain every success for the future and he will always be welcome at the Lane.
The transfer of Jermain to Toronto FC also sees the start of an Advertising Rights Agreement with club owners Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. which includes promotional, branding, experiential activities, advertising, broadcasting, social media and digital rights across the 4-year agreement and at all MLSE properties and media sites. MLSE will stock, promote and sell official THFC merchandise at all their retail outlets and support the THFC Official Canadian Supporter's Club.
Additionally, the Club can also announce that we shall play Toronto FC in the second game of our 2014 summer tour on July 23, in-between fixtures against Seattle Sounders on July 19 and Chicago Fire on July 26.
He's gone
posted on 10/1/14
comment by sandro's kung fu kick (U12056)
posted 2 minutes ago
I also find it slightly concerning that in the statement sherwood has said we have enough firepower after defoe leaves, with goalscoring midfielders and wide players? anybody else think if they will try lamela up top with adebayor or soldado at some point? maybe even chadli?!?!
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Yeah chadli i would imagine will play there buddy we have seen that in some games already he has good hold up play aswell. He is of course a forward and a midfielder typical modern day versatile footballer.
He scored against us aswell playing up front for twente in the champions league that nutty 3-3 game or whatever it was.
posted on 10/1/14
Sandro, I'm still furious with that decision mate. I honestly think that could of kicked in lamelas career with us because he played a blinder against sherif and who Knows maybe against Newcastle to but he was dropped. I would love him to get a chance now jd has left.
posted on 10/1/14
I know some fans dont rate chadli, but i honestly think he will be a good player for us, he works hard for the team aswell. I also think it was madness to play him against man city aswell Don, i know its easy said then done but we should just give him a run of 3 or 4 games in the league and see how he fares, from what ive seen he is an intelligent player and always makes the decisive moves, really really hope it works out for him....then sell him for £90million to madrid haha!
posted on 10/1/14
I wouldn't mind him at Arsenal. He's better than all our options bar Giroud. And even that is disputable. Defoe is a bit of a mystery. He goes through some excellent spells where he shows his qualities and then goes on very long droughts.
posted on 10/1/14
Wow Sherrif, I can't that opinion going well on your arsenal board
posted on 10/1/14
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 8 minutes ago
I wouldn't mind him at Arsenal. He's better than all our options bar Giroud. And even that is disputable. Defoe is a bit of a mystery. He goes through some excellent spells where he shows his qualities and then goes on very long droughts.
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I think it is reported that he will be on £90k week at Toronto and I doubt any PL club would have offered that.
And in the MLS he is a very big name, or will be once promotion guys get going and there will be a big merchandise rake off for the Toronto owners.
I doubt whether Arsenal or anyone else would have matched that.
posted on 10/1/14
What's the best goal you saw Defoe score in a Spurs shirt. The one that sticks in my mind was the one against Man City at home last season.
He got the ball to the left bye line, cut back and inside of Kompany and flighted a perfect shot into the far side of the goal past a static Hart.
Perhaps not a classic but the more memorable from me because watching it again on the MOTD prog the so called experts tried to make sure it was Kompany having a bad day rather than a lovely bit of ball control and shooting from our Jermaine.
posted on 10/1/14
It sounds like Kane is going to get more playing time as our third striker. Not a popular choidce I'm sure but I'd personally like to see what he can do with good players around him.
posted on 10/1/14
just me Bill (U13802)
I loved his goal against West Ham.
Excellent ball control and finish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1D0j7wa7vg
posted on 10/1/14
Scored a cracker against Arsenal in the 4-5 game at The Lane a while back ... So long ago that Naybet was playing !