Tottenham fan favourite admits Arsenal legend convinced him to join the Lilywhites

Sandro has admitted that it was Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva who convinced him to make the move to Tottenham when the Lilywhites came calling for him.

Sandro arrived at Spurs from Internacional in Brazil and although he took a while to establish himself in the team, he went on to put in many impressive displays in the heart of Tottenham’s midfield.

His tenacity and strength on the ball earned him the nickname ‘The Beast‘ from Spurs fans but the Brazilian’s exit from Spurs coincided with Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival in the summer of 2014.

The midfielder’s career has since not delivered what it promised, partly due to his constant injury issues, with the player having unsuccessful spells at QPR, West Brom, Antalyaspor, Benevento, Genoa, and Udinese, before returning to Brazilian football.

Sandro was advised not to pass up Spurs opportunity

The 34-year-old, who hung up his boots this summer, has now spoken about the instant connection he had with the Tottenham fans as soon as he arrived at White Hart Lane.

Sandro told talksPORT: “I just love the club and I felt the connection with the fans straightaway, for the first game.

“I can’t explain how the relationship became like that. I don’t know, maybe it’s because I put passion into every single ball.

“I was trying to give everything every game and I think that can make the difference for the fans and the fans can see it.”

He revealed that his compatriot Silva told him not to pass up on the opportunity when Spurs came calling.

Sandro said about the Arsenal man’s influence: “Yeah we were in the national team and he just heard about me coming to the Premier League. He said good things, ‘Sandro you must go, the football is the greatest, you’re going to love it’.

“I was happy because he was talking to me, he was in the same position and I was very pleased that he talked to me.”

Spurs Web Opinion

If Sandro’s knee had held up, he could have quite easily gone on to win over 50 caps for Brazil. What the midfielder lacked in technical quality, he more than made up with his heart, determination and his physicality.