Benfica have now confirmed the capture of former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen.
The centre-back, who was a loyal servant to the Lilywhites for eight seasons, departed last month after his contract expired.
The defender’s departure incited an emotional outpouring from some Spurs fans on social media as they bemoaned the fact that the club could not win any silverware during the centre-back’s time there in order to repay his efforts.
History suggests that the 33-year-old will have a much better chance of winning trophies at his next club, with the central defender now sealing a move to Benfica.
A move to Benfica was first mentioned as a possibility earlier this week, with reports indicating that the former Ajax man had been offered a three-year contract by the Portuguese giants (HLN).
It appears negotiations moved pretty swiftly as Benfica have now confirmed that the defender has signed with the club until 2023.
Spurs Web Opinion
Benfica is a great move for Vertonghen, primarily for footballing reasons as he will play for a side at the top end of the table in Portugal and at a level where he could potentially stand out for the next two to three years. Hopefully, he will go on to win trophies with the club. However, it is also a great move for him off the pitch as Lisbon is a great city, and offers a chance for the 33-year-old to experience a new culture and learn a new language. Considering that Vertonghen is much more sophisticated than your average footballer, that probably had a big influence on his decision.
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