Tottenham confirm the sale of Toby Alderweireld to Qatari outfit Al-Duhail for £13m – as veteran defender brings the curtain down on six-year stay in north London
- Toby Alderweireld has completed a £13m move to join Qatar side Al-Duhail
- Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to make changes in defence The
- Belgian is looking to leave the club after a six-year spell at Tottenham
- Al-Duhail are managed by former Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi
Tottenham’s rebuilding of their squad continues, with defender Toby Alderweireld joining Qatari side Al-Duhail.
The Belgium international had two years left on his contract but was keen to leave this summer and has moved to the Middle East for a fee believed to be £13million.
Alderweireld made 236 appearances for Spurs after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2015 and was an integral part of the side that mounted back-to-back Premier League title challenges and got to the Champions League final.
Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has joined Qatari side Al-Duhail on Tuesday
A Spurs statement said: ‘We have reached agreement with Al-Duhail SC in Qatar for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld.
‘We wish Toby all the best for the future.’
The sale represents a good piece of business by Spurs, who recouped a good chunk of money for a 32-year-old and he follows stalwarts Danny Rose and Erik Lamela out of the club this summer as they look to rebuild their squad.
‘Six years, two homes, a Champions League final and so many memories,’ the defender said. ‘You made me feel a part of your club from the moment I walked out at White Hart Lane and roared us on, no matter what, into our new, special stadium.
Alderweireld was a part of the side that helped Spurs reach the 2019 Champions League final
‘Thank you first to the fans and then to my team-mates and every incredible member of the Spurs staff, backroom and beyond. This club will always be in mine and my family’s heart.’
Al-Duhail already have one Belgian player on their books in Edmilson Junior who previously played for Standard Liege.
The club are managed by former Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi.
While he would be leaving one of the biggest leagues in Europe, it won’t necessarily harm his chances of making the Belgian team.
Manager Roberto Martinez continues to pick Thomas Vermaelen who is currently in Japan and the Spaniard continued to include Yannick Carrasco during his spell in China.
Since joining Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in 2015, the defender helped the club reach the final of the Champions League four years later when they were defeated by Liverpool in Madrid.
Belgian side Royal Antwerp had an approach turned down earlier in the summer which would have seen the Belgian centre-back return to his hometown, where he played before joining Ajax’s youth set-up.
Tottenham are looking to secure the signing of Atalanta defender Cristian Romero
Talks are also continuing over a potential £15m deal for Bologna full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu
Alderweireld’s departure comes as Spurs’ new technical director Fabio Paratici looks to reshape the squad, with talks continuing over a potential £42m deal for Atalanta’s 23-year-old centre-back Cristian Romero and a £15m deal for Bologna full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
They have already brought in Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and Sevilla winger Bryan Gil, with Lamela moving the other way.