Jermain Defoe has joined Tottenham for 7million with Bobby Zamora moving in the opposite direction to West Ham.England Under-21 international Defoe
handed in a transfer request last summer in the wake of West Ham's relegation from the Barclaycard Premiership and he has long been tipped to leave
Upton Park.Manchester United were said to be his likely destination but after their signing of Louis Saha, Defoe has made the short journey across
London to Spurs with just hours remaining of the January transfer window.
Defoe, 21, has endured a troubled life in Division One with the Hammers, having scored 15 goals but also suffering three red cards.West Ham's expected
immediate return to the Premiership has faltered, with first the sacking of manager Glenn Roeder and then replacement Alan Pardew's difficult start to
life at Upton Park, which has left the club struggling to even claim a play-off place.Defoe has now completed a five-match suspension for his third
sending off of the season but could be included in the Spurs squad to take on Portsmouth next Saturday, although he is not cup tied and could be in
line for the FA Cup replay against Manchester City on Wednesday if a deal goes through quick enough."
Comments from Pleat.
David Pleat feels Tottenham have secured the services of a major talent in Jermain Defoe, with the forward relishing the prospect of playing for a
club of Spurs' stature.Pleat, director of football and caretaker manager at White Hart Lane, was buoyant after snaring the England Under-21 hot-shot
and wished Bobby Zamora well on his move in the opposite direction.
We have a mixture, different types of strikers," stated Pleat. "We've got five internationals and only four strikers. Fredi's (Kanoute) from two
countries so we're unique!"All of them have different qualities but Jermain's goals record for a 21-year-old is exceptional. We hope he will have a
fine and flourishing career at Tottenham."He's a London boy, a British boy, and is in keeping with our policy in developing a young team with
prospects to really improve and get into Europe."I can't think of a British striker of his age who has done so much in a short period of time at such
a high level."It was well documented that Manchester United were a very interested party last summer but this is building our asset base of good
players.
Pleat believes Defoe will add a cutting edge and a touch of finishing finesse to the Spurs side.
Comments from Defoe
Jermain Defoe has admitted he had mishandled his move from West Ham after completing a deal to join London rivals Tottenham.Defoe controversially
handed in a transfer request the day after the Hammers were relegated last season, and never withdrew it.
"I've said a few times it was mistake at the end of the day," Defoe admitted."I'm still young and learnt from that and every time I've played for
West Ham I've worked hard for the team."Things happen in football and I'm looking forward to the new challenge."It was the wrong decision but I've put
that behind me. I've said sorry."
Defoe revealed the move had come as a surprise when it was completed just before Monday's 5pm deadline.
"I'm relieved but I didn't really expect anything to happen," he added."I was sitting at home looking forward to the Bradford game and I'm
delighted."I'm looking forward to linking up with Freddie Kanoute and the other great players at the club."He said: "I want just what's best for my
career and this move came along and it's great for me. I'm a London boy and I'm still in London."Obviously I'm a very ambitious person - I want to
play at the top level and achieve things. When you watch your friends you used to play with play in the Premiership you want to be there."
Defoe admitted thoughts of England's Euro 2004 campaign this summer had an influence on his move.
Comments from Pardew
"A 10-year-old with Jermain Defoe on the back of his shirt will be disappointed tonight and I do sympathise with that. It's a horrible emotion when
a player like Defoe leaves."But if you look at this deal in the cold light of day you've got to say it's a good deal for us. Ultimately, if a player
doesn't want to stay it is useless to hold him against his wishes."Because of the timing of this there will be people who see conspiracy theories, but
there are none. The board will be painted as if they had an ulterior motive. They didn't."Losing Jermain was always going to happen because he wasn't
going to sign a contract with us."As much as losing Jermain is a blow, the arrival of Bobby cushions it. He's a fantastic lad and a great, great
player."
Zamora, meanwhile, has struggled to make the grade in the Premiership with Spurs, having failed to score a top-flight goal this season in 16
appearances.The 23-year-old signed for Spurs in the summer from Second Division Brighton for 1.5million but his only goal since then has come in the
Carling Cup, struggling to recapture his form with the Seagulls which saw him score 70 in 119 league games to establish himself as the hottest
property outside of the Premiership.Zamora has only scored one goal for Tottenham, ironically against West Ham in the Carling Cup win back in
October.
Comments from Pleat.
We had great hopes for Bobby but he couldn't get the opportunities."I'm sure he will do well at West Ham. Alan (Pardew) has signed a top class kind
of guy but, in football, if any time you get a chance, you have to take the opportunity if it's there."
Zamora returns to the club he supported as a boy and even played for as a 14-year-old.
He said: "I'm happy to come home. I wasn't give too much of
an opportunity at Tottenham but I hope I will get that here.
Upton Park Transfers News
West Ham have confirmed the signing of Sebastien Carole from Monaco on loan until the end of the season.
They are also close to snatching a fourth player from Wimbledon this season after confirming their interest in Jobi McAnuff.The Hammers have agreed an
undisclosed fee for the 22-year-old winger, who is undergoing a medical at Upton Park.A West Ham spokesman said:
"We are hoping to sign him
tonight. We don't foresee any problems."McAnuff, who requested the move, will link up with former Dons Nigel Reo-Coker, Adam Nowland and David
Connolly in east London.