Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe feels it is the right
time to leave the club and admitted a combination of reasons have prompted him
to join MLS side Toronto.
The England striker has scored 143 goals in two spells at
White Hart Lane but, with just one year left on his current deal at Spurs,
Defoe will leave north London for Canada at the end of February.
Defoe admits it will be a wrench to leave Tottenham after
such a long time at the club but is looking forward to a new challenge.
"I was there nine years so you can imagine what it's
like. I think everyone knows how I feel about Tottenham," he told Sky
Sports News in an exclusive interview.
"I have had a special relationship with the fans
over the years but it's football and players move on.
"I have had a special relationship with the fans
over the years but it's football and players move on. At the age of 31 it is a
great opportunity for me and my family."
Defoe has suffered a series of personal traumas in recent
years and he revealed they, along with the financial security the move to
Toronto would bring, helped persuade him to make the move.
"I've been through some things with my family over
the last few years and sometimes it is nice to have a change," he added.
"I only had a year left on my contract at Tottenham.
If you have a year left and someone comes in and offers you four, you have to
think about it and consider your options. It's as simple as that."
Toronto head coach and former Tottenham team-mate Ryan Nelsen
has suggested top four Premier League clubs were interested in signing Defoe.
But the player himself was keen to play down such
suggestions and remains hopeful the move will not threaten his chances of
securing a place in Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.
Jermain Defoe says he feels he's proved himself enough to
warrant a place in England's World Cup squad
"I wasn't aware of that. I've just tried to keep my
head down and play football," he said of the transfer speculation.
"I don't try to read too much into speculation or
listen to what people say. You just have to let your agents and the club you
play for make the decisions."
As for the World Cup, he added: "Hopefully the
manager knows what I can do. I am 31 and I have played in the Premiership my whole
career.
"There's not much more I need to prove but it's down
to the manager, he picks the squad.
"If I get picked to play for my country, I will be
ready."
Culled from Skysports
