Tottenham have been boosted by the news that Gareth Bale has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract.
Wales international commits future to White Hart Lane
Tottenham have been boosted by the news that Wales international Gareth Bale has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract which runs until 2015.
The 21-year-old has become one of the world's premier left wingers having made the successful transition from full-back, including netting a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan.
Bale joined Spurs as a 17-year-old from Southampton in May 2007 and has gone on to make 112 appearances in Tottenham's colours, scoring 17 goals.
He made his Premier League return following a back injury on Saturday, but was unable to prevent Harry Redknapp's side being held to a goalless draw by West Ham.
Star
However, he has been one of Spurs' stars in what has been a highly successful season for the North Londoners and fans will welcome the news that he has extended his stay.
"I am enjoying my football at Tottenham," he told the club's
official website. "I want us to keep going forward as a team and hopefully we can achieve big things.
"We have got a great squad that is still young and we are going places. It is great to commit to this club and hopefully we can achieve what we believe we can with this squad. The players want what the fans want, and performing in front of these fans is a special experience.
"I definitely believe we can challenge for a title very soon. That is why I have signed. Every year as a minimum we are aiming to qualify for the Champions League so we are definitely going in the right direction.
"We have proven in the Champions League this season that we can compete with the best and we are in the last eight now and there is no reason we can't go further this season and in years to come."
Great
Redknapp may have been disappointed by dropping two points against West Ham, but Bale's decision to commit has raised his spirits.
"It's great to have Gareth sign a new contract at the club," said Redknapp. "He is a fantastic player and the type of player we need to be keeping at Spurs.
"Gareth is now one of the top left-sided players in the world, he really is an amazing talent and can only get better. He is a smashing lad as well which is equally as important.
"He has got his whole future ahead and he has everything going for him."
