Woodgate makes Tottenham switch
Monday, January 28, 2008
Article summary
Tottenham Hotspur FC have signed England central defender Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough FC in a transfer reportedly worth in the region of €10.5m.
Article body
Tottenham Hotspur FC have signed England defender Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough FC.
€10.5m fee
The 28-year-old centre-back joins Tottenham after a season and a half at Middlesbrough – initially on loan from Real Madrid CF before a permanent €10m transfer to his hometown club in April. No details of the move to Tottenham have been released, although the London team are reported to have paid €10.5m for a player who had also attracted interest from Newcastle United FC.
Madrid disappointment
Woodgate, capped six times by England, began his career at Leeds United AFC and was part of the side that reached the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. He spent four and a half seasons at Elland Road before switching to Newcastle midway through the 2002/03 campaign, then transferring to Real Madrid CF for €19.8m in summer 2004. Woodgate's time in Spain was hampered by a succession of thigh problems which ruled him out of his entire first term at the club and limited him to nine Primera División outings in all.
Calf injury
His fitness has been better in his 18 months at Middlesbrough, with Woodgate making 46 Premier League appearances and being recalled by England for their loss to Spain last February. However, a calf injury should prevent him playing in Tottenham's game at Everton FC on Wednesday. Tottenham, who have reached the English League Cup final, will visit SK Slavia Praha in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie on 14 February. Woodgate is Spurs' most expensive signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of fellow defender Chris Gunter from Cardiff City FC at the start of the month.
