jimmy hill's chin
New member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 230
Zamora - recruited by Spurs. (Getty Images)
ZAMORA SIGNS FOR SPURS
Tottenham have completed the signing of England Under-21 star Bobby Zamora from Brighton for a knockdown £1.5million.
The move comes just three weeks after Spurs paid £6.2million for Portuguese striker Helder Postiga and agreed to other payments based on performance which could eventually take the deal nearer £8million.
Relegated Brighton are believed to have turned down a £3million bid for Zamora from Everton less than a year ago as well as a more recent overture from Spurs who offered a £750,000 down-payment plus staggered payments over a year.
But the player's agent Phil Smith revealed: "The fee for Bobby is £1.5million which is a decent price in today's market for a Second Division striker.
"It has been a long time coming for Bobby but he is delighted to be going into the Premiership. It has always been an ambition."
In fact, hard-up Brighton, relegated in May after two successive promotion campaigns, will bank even less than £1.5 million for their star performer who has netted 76 goals in 123 League games.
Thirty percent of the fee goes to Bristol Rovers under a clause in the transfer agreement that was struck when they sold him to Brighton for £175,000 three years ago.
Brighton manager Steve Coppell said: "It is a big move for Bobby and nobody really expected could hang onto him for much longer. But it has blown a big hole in any plans I had. I don't have a better option than playing with Bobby Zamora up front.
"But everybody knows the club needs money and the fee is up to the chairman (Dick Knight)".
Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle, however, is delighted with his new capture, having tracked him closely all last season - and before that.
He said: "I watched him closely for two seasons before we signed him. He's got a little bit of everything and now we have got three young strikers. It's good to have that little bit of pace.
"He's a proven goalscorer outside the Premiership and I'm sure he can score goals in the Premiership. I was at Brighton a few times watching him and people put two and two together. It's been a fairly long haul but we're delighted he has signed.
"He has a few strings to his bow and he's shown what a talent he's got to be able to take on different roles and produce the goods.
"We didn't get anyone in during the winter break and then we got some injuries and that hurt us. But that allowed us to have the financial clout to have a go in the summer."
Zamora, who scored 14 goals in 36 appearances last season for Brighton despite the club being relegated to Division Two, added: "I really wanted to sign for Tottenham and now I've finally done it so I'm delighted.
"I'll have to work hard and if it all goes well I can play a few games.
"It's going to be a challenge but I know I'm going to learn from the calibre of players here. The Premiership is the league to be in and I expect every aspect of the game to be a lot harder, but I'm looking forward to it."
Hoddle believes Zamora will thrive on the type of service that his new Spurs team-mates will be able to provide him.
Hoddle added on Sky Sports News: "He has got good pace and great movement on and off the ball. No disrespect to Brighton, they have got a good team down there, but we have got players here who can make the most of his movement."
Zamora himself is relishing the chance to rub shoulders with some of the game's top names in the Premiership.
He said: "The van Nistelrooys and Henrys are top drawer and they have proved it. I want to watch them and try and learn.
"Everyone can always improve and I am looking to do that at Tottenham.
"I am delighted to come here and play alongside Robbie (Keane) and all the other players."
On his international prospects, the England Under-21 striker added: "I'm just looking at the under-21s at the moment.
"There are championships the summer after and hopefully I can get a few games and a few goals and get a starting place with the under-21s."
ZAMORA SIGNS FOR SPURS
Tottenham have completed the signing of England Under-21 star Bobby Zamora from Brighton for a knockdown £1.5million.
The move comes just three weeks after Spurs paid £6.2million for Portuguese striker Helder Postiga and agreed to other payments based on performance which could eventually take the deal nearer £8million.
Relegated Brighton are believed to have turned down a £3million bid for Zamora from Everton less than a year ago as well as a more recent overture from Spurs who offered a £750,000 down-payment plus staggered payments over a year.
But the player's agent Phil Smith revealed: "The fee for Bobby is £1.5million which is a decent price in today's market for a Second Division striker.
"It has been a long time coming for Bobby but he is delighted to be going into the Premiership. It has always been an ambition."
In fact, hard-up Brighton, relegated in May after two successive promotion campaigns, will bank even less than £1.5 million for their star performer who has netted 76 goals in 123 League games.
Thirty percent of the fee goes to Bristol Rovers under a clause in the transfer agreement that was struck when they sold him to Brighton for £175,000 three years ago.
Brighton manager Steve Coppell said: "It is a big move for Bobby and nobody really expected could hang onto him for much longer. But it has blown a big hole in any plans I had. I don't have a better option than playing with Bobby Zamora up front.
"But everybody knows the club needs money and the fee is up to the chairman (Dick Knight)".
Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle, however, is delighted with his new capture, having tracked him closely all last season - and before that.
He said: "I watched him closely for two seasons before we signed him. He's got a little bit of everything and now we have got three young strikers. It's good to have that little bit of pace.
"He's a proven goalscorer outside the Premiership and I'm sure he can score goals in the Premiership. I was at Brighton a few times watching him and people put two and two together. It's been a fairly long haul but we're delighted he has signed.
"He has a few strings to his bow and he's shown what a talent he's got to be able to take on different roles and produce the goods.
"We didn't get anyone in during the winter break and then we got some injuries and that hurt us. But that allowed us to have the financial clout to have a go in the summer."
Zamora, who scored 14 goals in 36 appearances last season for Brighton despite the club being relegated to Division Two, added: "I really wanted to sign for Tottenham and now I've finally done it so I'm delighted.
"I'll have to work hard and if it all goes well I can play a few games.
"It's going to be a challenge but I know I'm going to learn from the calibre of players here. The Premiership is the league to be in and I expect every aspect of the game to be a lot harder, but I'm looking forward to it."
Hoddle believes Zamora will thrive on the type of service that his new Spurs team-mates will be able to provide him.
Hoddle added on Sky Sports News: "He has got good pace and great movement on and off the ball. No disrespect to Brighton, they have got a good team down there, but we have got players here who can make the most of his movement."
Zamora himself is relishing the chance to rub shoulders with some of the game's top names in the Premiership.
He said: "The van Nistelrooys and Henrys are top drawer and they have proved it. I want to watch them and try and learn.
"Everyone can always improve and I am looking to do that at Tottenham.
"I am delighted to come here and play alongside Robbie (Keane) and all the other players."
On his international prospects, the England Under-21 striker added: "I'm just looking at the under-21s at the moment.
"There are championships the summer after and hopefully I can get a few games and a few goals and get a starting place with the under-21s."