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.
"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.
"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."
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