Woodgate delight at move

England defender sets sights high

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 29th January 2008

Jonathan Woodgate England Tottenham Spurs

Woodgate: Pleased to be at Spurs

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Jonathan Woodgate is hoping to help his new club Tottenham climb up the Premier League table.

Woodgate, 28, sealed his move to White Hart Lane from Middlesbrough on Monday.

The England international is now hoping to make a major impact with his new club.

"I think it's a false position in the league, with the quality we've got. I hope we can climb up the league and get as high as we can," Woodgate told Spurs TV Online.

"The group of players we've got here is exceptional - young players, and experience as well.

"They've got a great future. Obviously they are in Europe and in the (Carling) Cup - and the manager is excellent. He's won things with Sevilla, and a lot of the players are fantastic as well.

Delight

"I'm delighted to come. I've been given the chance to speak to the club. It's what I wanted to do from the start really."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate admitted the choice to leave his hometown club was Woodgate's.

"You're looking for everyone at your club to want to be here and be part of it," he said.

"We wanted to give Jonathan the opportunity to speak to other clubs - because when clubs call you about a player it usually means the player knows about it anyway.

"We were then asking a question of Jonathan - do you want to be here and be part of what we want to do or do you want to head off?

"It seems he wanted to head off."