Victor Wanyama Signs Five Year Deal With Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Kenya international Victor Wanyama from Southampton on a 5 year deal until 2021.
Wanyama spent 3 seasons with Southampton establishing himself as a key figure in the Southampton team making 97 appearances for the club. Wanyama wrote a tribute to Southampton the following on his website.
I write to you with a heavy heart to announce that I will be leaving Southampton Football Club. As you can imagine 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.
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, 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% 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 Daily Star had previously reported that Leicester had been interested in Wanyama who only had a year left on his contract with Southampton. The 24 year-old defensive midfielder will reunite with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino who signed him for Southampton a couple of years ago. Pochettino will be pleased with the deal as Tottenham look to reinforce with Champions League football to look forward to as well as making sure they keep their place in the top 4 next season.
Wanyama scored four goals in 85 Premier League games for the Saints since his £12.5m move from Celtic in the summer of 2013.