Kanoute: My fears over deal

13 April 2012

Striker Frederic Kanoute is vowing to earn a regular first-team place at Tottenham after completing his £4million move from West Ham today.

Tottenham's new signing Frederic Kanoute was officially unveiled at the club's training ground today and then revealed he thought his dream move had vanished.

The 26-year-old Frenchman thought his switch to Spurs would never happen after manager Glenn Hoddle bought Helder Postiga and Bobby Zamora.

But Kanoute finally made the £4million switch to White Hart Lane and the relief was evident.

He said: "I thought when Tottenham signed Postiga and Zamora that perhaps the deal would not happen at all, although I knew Spurs had made an offer much earlier in the summer, and even I was surprised when I was told the transfer was still possible.

"I was already preparing for West Ham's game against Preston this weekend.

"I am sad to be leaving friends and team-mates at Upton Park, who I have great respect for, but it is no secret that West Ham had to sell players this summer after relegation and the chance to play for a great club like Spurs was irresistible.

"Even though I had contact with a number of clubs, it was time to go when Spurs came in. I was very relieved to pass my medical, which was incredibly thorough.

"It was spread over two days , beginning on Saturday afternoon and finishing on Sunday, but I expected this because of my injury problems last season. Despite what some people might think, I am not injury prone and last season was the first time I missed a significant number of games because of physical problems.

"I had not gone stale but sometimes every player knows it is time to move on to get a fresh challenge. This move was the right one for me at this time."

He added: "There will be much pressure this season, both for me and for Tottenham but I am ready for that.

"There will be a lot of competition for places among the strikers and I do not expect a guaranteed place in the team.

"Last season was a disappointment for Tottenham and especially the supporters but the team have the potential to qualify for Europe, otherwise I am not certain I would have signed.

"I was happy to stay at West Ham but this move will give me the opportunity to play in Europe again.

"The great thing about Tottenham is the club have never lost their ambition, even though it is a few years since the team were in Europe.

"I would love to be part of the side that bring back this level of football."

Kanoute admits he is sad to leave West Ham but believes it is important the club now call a halt to their sale of key players if they are to bounce back to the Premiership.

"It was hard for us as a team last year,' Kanoute admitted. "But now they have to keep hold of one or two of the younger players to show people that not everyone wants to go."

Meanwhile, Hoddle welcomed his new arrival and added that his search for new forwards was now over.

He said: "We are not looking for more strikers. We have been able to buy this summer because we didn't spend last January.

"We now have four strikers competing for four places up front and that is what you need as a team at this level.

"It is healthy competition which gets more out of players. It would great if one of them was to go on a run and become the number one goalscorer."

Winger Matthew Etherington has joined West Ham for £500,000 as part of the Kanoute deal.

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