Jan Vertonghen has confirmed his exit from Tottenham Hotspur after his contract expired, calling it a ‘sad day’ as he leaves the club after eight years in north London. Backup goalkeeper Michel Vorm has also been released.
Vertonghen, who joined Spurs from Ajax in 2012 and has played more than 300 games in that time, is now available as a free agent for potential new clubs ahead of next season.
Thank you for all the support over the years. You have done amazing. We had so many incredible memories but for now, it’s goodbye. ?#COYS pic.twitter.com/XrEjBaWb2C
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) July 27, 2020
The 33-year-old Belgian was initially out of contract at the end of June but has agreed a temporary extension to his contract until the end of the delayed campaign.
On Twitter the morning after the final day of the 2019/20 season against Crystal Palace, Vertonghen said, “So my time at the club has come to an end. A sad day for many reasons.
“I will miss the friends I have made here, the staff who run the club, playing in the fantastic new stadium. [and] Of course you have fans.
A statement from the club read, “…we thank John for his tremendous service and wish him every success in the future. He will always be a valued member of the Spurs family.” .
Jan Vertonghen has made 315 appearances for Tottenham/Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images.
Since switching to English football, Vertonghen has established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe – with both Spurs and the Belgian national team – and has climbed the Premier League ladder and is a regular Champions League qualifier. was an important part of the club to be formed.
Those achievements culminated in a second-placed Premier League finish in 2016/17 and a run to the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool.
Vorm ultimately only played sparingly for Spurs during his six years at the club, moving from Swansea in 2014 to be under the tutelage of Hugo Lloris. Despite being released in 2019, Worm was re-signed last October to a short-term deal as extra cover while Lloris was injured.
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