New Spurs man likes English fire

Tottenham Hotspur's new defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto is playing in the English game.

The Cameroon star moved from Lens to White Hart Lane at the end of last season, and is anxious to challenge current left back Lee Young-pyo for a starting role.

Spurs kick-off the new Premiership season against Bolton Wanderers live on Prem Plus on August 19 and the 22-year-old can not wait to get his first taste of Premiership football.

"There is more contact here than in the French league," he told the Daily Star.

"When there is contact in France there is very often a whistle straight away. In the English League you get more of a chance to play.

"It will be up to the coach whether I play. I have come here for the sporting challenge."

Boss Martin Jol will be happy with the player's attitude on the field, but he may not join in with the player's pastimes off the pitch.

"I don't watch football. Well, I play it enough don't I," Assou-Ekotto added.

"I don't talk about football away from the game either. I suppose that is unusual.

"My interests are my friends and music, especially hip-hop. I like Ice Cube and 50 Cent."