Gareth Bale completes dream return to Tottenham Hotspur
Gareth Bale of Wales arrives at the Vale Resort. Wales training session at the Vale Resort ahead of their UEFA Nations League match against Finland. 31st August 2020. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales captain Gareth Bale has returned to Tottenham Hotspur after completing a loan move from Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old returns to North London seven years after leaving for a then world record fee.
During his time in the Spanish capital, Bale won 13 trophies and his goal in the Champions League Final against Liverpool in 2018 will go down in history.
After falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane, Real have finally granted him his wish after seasons of turmoil and a lack of game time.
BALE TO WEAR NUMBER 9 SHIRT
Bale will sport the number 9 shirt for Spurs, where he had previously worn the numbers 16, 3 and famously the number 11 shirt in which he enjoyed a phenomenal 2013/14 season in.
He also wears 11 for Wales, although he has never worn the number 9 shirt in his career.
Bale’s high wages had been a concern for his suitors and made a move away more difficult in recent years.
However, Real have reportedly decided to share the cost of his wages which are around £600,000 per week.
MOURINHO STRENGTHENS
After a 1-0 defeat to Everton on the opening day of the season, Jose Mourinho has reacted by strengthening his squad ahead of a clash with Bale’s old team, Southampton tomorrow.
Sergio Reguilón also joined Spurs today from Real, completing a £50 million deal which will see him possibly replace Wales’ Ben Davies at full-back.
He will be remembered for his crucial goals against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Final and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in the same season.
Bale had expressed his desire to leave for over two years now, since scoring twice to secure the Champions League title for Zidane despite being benched for the big occasion.
Last summer his move to China was blocked at the 11th hour by the Madrid hierarchy, even though a fee had been agreed and contract signed.
But finally, after seven years away from the Premier League, Bale is back. He scored 42 goals in total for Spurs during a six-year spell there before joining Real Madrid in a dream move.
Madrid have said: “Our club wishes the best of luck to a player who is part of one of the most successful periods of our history.”
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
