Tottenham sign prodigy Bale

Tottenham Hotspur FC have announced the signing of Welsh international left-back Gareth Bale from Southampton FC for a fee that could rise to €15m.

'Excited'
Bale, who turns 18 in July, has reportedly put pen to paper on a four-year deal after Tottenham won the race to land a player whose contract with Southampton was due to expire next summer. The teenager said: "I am just excited to be coming to a big club, a massive club like Tottenham." His new team are believed to have paid an initial €7.5m.

'Physical attributes'
Capped six times by Wales, Bale's first start for his country came at the London club's White Hart Lane stadium. The Cardiff-born defender made the last of his 40 league appearances for Southampton as they lost their semi-final first leg in the play-offs for a Premiership promotion place. Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli said: "Gareth has great physical attributes - he is tall, good in the air and has a fantastic left foot. He is very good on set-pieces, he is clever on the ball and his passing selection is excellent." Spurs qualified for the UEFA Cup for the second season running after finishing fifth in the 2006/07 Premier League.