Toby Alderweireld: Tottenham defender completes transfer to Qatari side Al-Duhail
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Toby Alderweireld has completed his move from Tottenham to Qatari side Al-Duhail SC.
The 32-year-old defender leaves north London after six years, having originally arrived from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015.
He made 236 appearances in all competitions and was a part of the Tottenham side that reached the Champions League final two years ago, forming a strong partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen.
We have reached an agreement with Al-Duhail SC in Qatar for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld.
We wish Toby the very best for the future. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 27, 2021
The Belgium international’s departure comes a day after another long-serving player in Erik Lamela departed in a swap-plus-cash deal with Sevilla that saw Bryan Gil come the other way.
It continues what has been a busy few days for Tottenham, with news that Heung-Min Son had signed a new four-year deal quickly followed by the loan signing of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta.
Alderweireld was contracted until 2023 but both new technical director Fabio Paratici and new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo are in the process of reshaping the squad.
“It’s been an honour to play for Spurs.”
🎥 Toby’s goodbye message. pic.twitter.com/AWWfJAZjcN — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 27, 2021
In a post on his Twitter account, Alderweireld said: “Six years, two homes, a Champions League final and so many memories.
“You made me feel a part of your club from the moment I walked out at White Hart Lane and roared us on, no matter what, into our new, special, stadium.
“Thank you first to the fans and then to my team-mates and every incredible member of the Spurs staff, backroom and beyond.
“This club will always be in mine and my family’s heart. Love Toby.”
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Tottenham confirm agreement with Al-Duhail for Toby Alderweireld transfer
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Tottenham have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Al-Duhail for defender Toby Alderweireld.
Joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015, the centre-back played a key role for Spurs in his six years at the club to become a regular in the team.
Despite looking on course to depart in 2019 for a new challenge, Alderweireld later went on to commit his future to the club after penning a new three-year contract following the arrival of Jose Mourinho in N17.
Making it clear to Spurs over the past few months that he would like to leave this summer to play elsewhere, the Belgium international will now join up with his new club in Qatar after they came to an agreement with Tottenham for his services.
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Taking to Twitter following his exit, Alderweireld penned a message to thank the club’s fans, his teammates and the Spurs staff following his spell in the capital.
“Six years, two homes, a Champions League final and so many memories,” he wrote.
“You made me feel a part of your club the moment I walked out at White Hart Lane and roared us on, no matter what, into our new, special stadium.
“Thank you first to the fans and then to my teammates and every incredible member of the Spurs staff, backroom and beyond.
“This club will always be in mine and my family’s heart.
“Love Toby.”
Alderweireld, who made 243 appearances for Tottenham, has signed a three-year contract with his new club.
Done Deal! Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld completes transfer to Al-Duhail in Qatar
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Another long-serving member of Tottenham Hotspur has now left the club. Spurs announced via their social media channels this morning that long time defender Toby Alderweireld has completed a move to Qatari side Al-Duhail, a move that was first leaked a couple of days ago. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but previous reports suggested it was for around £13m.
We have reached an agreement with Al-Duhail SC in Qatar for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld.
We wish Toby the very best for the future. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 27, 2021
Toby’s relationship with Spurs has always been a little fraught. In the past two and a half years, there were rumors that he was dissatisfied with then-manager Mauricio Pochettino and was pushing to leave the club in in 2019, but almost immediately signed a new contract after the appointment of Jose Mourinho. However, Toby was also viewed as one of the players who was unhappy with the way the Portuguese manager was running things towards the middle of last season.
What you can say is that he was unquestionably one of Tottenham’s best defenders over the past 25 years, and is perhaps second only to Ledley King. Toby formed an imperious center back parnership with fellow Belgian Jan Vertonghen at the height of the Pochettino era and was one of the best defenders in the Premier League for a stretch of about three years.
His transfer to Qatar is an incredible bit of business, just like his transfer to Tottenham for £11.4m back in 2015. Toby was one of those players, like Rafael van der Vaart, whom you couldn’t quite believe Spurs actually managed to sign. Now 32, Alderweireld is leaving the club for one last big payday in the Middle East before presumably either returning to play his last days back in Belgium, or hanging up his boots for good. He will be remembered by fans for his defensive acumen, his gorgeous long progressive passes from the back, and his swath of impervious hair, seemingly styled with some sort of sealing polymer.
He will be missed. The “painful rebuild” continues. We go on. Thank you Toby.