Copa Libertadores champion Sandro arrives at Spurs
Published 19:20 02/09/10 By Darren Lewis
Harry Redknapp last night boosted the Tottenham ranks further still yesterday with the arrival of £14million midfielder Sandro.
The 21-year-old Brazilian signed for Spurs five months ago. But the north Londoners allowed him stay with Internacional until the end of their participation in South America’s equivalent of the Champions League – the Copa Libertadores.
Sandro went on to help his team lift the title and he now wants to inspire Spurs to make a big impact in the European version.
Speaking 24 hours after the signing of Rafael van der Vaart, Sandro said: “It was a fantastic moment to win the Copa Libertadores.
“Internacional helped me grow as a footballer and a person from a very young age and it was a great achievement to leave on such a high.
“It was a fantastic achievement and now I hope to have many more successes with my new team.
“The Champions League is the best club competition in the world and I am looking forward to competing at this level.
“I know Spurs has everything that it takes to go further in the competition and I will do everything I can to help.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. It is a strong league played at great pace and I think my style of play will adapt quickly to this kind of football.
Meanwhile, Spurs have been told to up their bid if they want to sign SuperSport United defender Bongani Khumalo in the summer.
The 23-year-old international impressed for his country at the World Cup and Redknapp wants to bring him to White Hart Lane in January.
But SuperSport chairman Khulu Sibaya insisted Spurs will have to meet his valuation – yet refused to say what the valuation is.
He said: “This is not a foregone conclusion and Tottenham will have to pitch a new and better offer during the next transfer window.
“I am of the opinion that the player has a lot of potential and if he is patient and concentrates on cementing his place in the national team he will go far.
“I feel sure that in a few months Bongani’s stature will have risen and he will secure himself an even better overseas move.”
