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http://www.stuff.co....as-a-no-brainer
Quote
All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen says it was "an absolute no-brainer" decision to transfer to English premier league title contenders Tottenham Hotspur to play and train "with some of the best players in the world".
The 34-year-old confirmed to The Press late last night he was transferring from battlers Blackburn Rovers to the glamour London club on a six-month deal with a one-year option.
"It's obviously extremely exciting," Nelsen said. "It's not 100 per cent yet, I've just got a visa [change] to get over the line, but it's pretty much done.
"It's just an exciting opportunity at this stage of my career. I've loved my time at Blackburn, but it's something I just couldn't turn down."
Nelsen said the carrot of playing for a club challenging for a place in the European Champions League meant the decision was "an absolute no-brainer". "There are some unbelievably good players there, it will just be exciting to start training with them."
Nelsen said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who tried to sign the Kiwi for Portsmouth in 2006, had "done an incredible job" to keep Spurs to third place in the league. Redknapp wanted him to provide experienced defensive cover and potentially push for a place in the team, Nelsen said.
He has had just one game for Blackburn this year because of a knee injury. But Nelsen said he "played for Blackburn behind closed doors this week" and the "knee felt really great". He said he would be able to play immediately, "but my match fitness isn't where I would like it be yet".
Nelsen spoke to The Press as he was driving to Blackburn's training ground "to pick up my boots" and say his goodbyes to the club he captained for much of his seven-year career at Elwood Park and close to 200 first-team matches.
He said he made "lifelong friends" at the club and it was a "place I will always remember, the club and the whole town". "It's been a fantastic time in my life."
Nelsen was released from his contract at Blackburn after a meeting with Rovers officials. He said he had been "looking at other options" and Blackburn, who are battling against relegation, were "looking to go in a different direction".
He had already had messages from Blackburn teammates. "Everyone's wished me all the best."
Nelsen has never discussed his salary details but it is common knowledge senior premier league players are on multi-million pound contracts.
Asked if he was getting a big pay rise at Tottenham, a much bigger club than Blackburn, Nelsen said: "It's never been about money for me...this is a great life experience; it's just an incredible opportunity."
Nelsen's United States agent Lyle Yorks told the Washington Post Redknapp "has always been a big fan of Ryan. When the opportunity came up, it really played itself out today, before the transfer deadline hit."
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said Nelsen had "done incredibly well in a very, very tough league, arguably the best in the world".
"So to move to a club like that who's doing incredibly well and could well be playing in Champions League football as well...it will be fantastic profile for the country as well."
Nelsen will commute from his family's Cheshire home to London to play for his new club.
After Spurs' 3-1 win over Wigan earlier today Redknapp spoke of his admiration for Nelsen.
"Ryan is a great competitor, a good sort to have around the place, I've always liked him," he told English newspapers.
New Zealand football great Steve Sumner said Nelsen's transfer was "a fantastic move". "It's absolutely fantastic for a guy of 34 that a top-three team have seen some future in him".
Sumner's 1982 World Cup finals teammate Bobby Almond, a former Spurs youth team player, was also pleased to hear Nelsen was joining his old club, although he left "he would never have left" Blackburn. "But Ryan has got to look after himself and he's made a sensible decision for his career...I might put my Tottenham Hotspur shirt back on now," Almond quipped.
The 34-year-old confirmed to The Press late last night he was transferring from battlers Blackburn Rovers to the glamour London club on a six-month deal with a one-year option.
"It's obviously extremely exciting," Nelsen said. "It's not 100 per cent yet, I've just got a visa [change] to get over the line, but it's pretty much done.
"It's just an exciting opportunity at this stage of my career. I've loved my time at Blackburn, but it's something I just couldn't turn down."
Nelsen said the carrot of playing for a club challenging for a place in the European Champions League meant the decision was "an absolute no-brainer". "There are some unbelievably good players there, it will just be exciting to start training with them."
Nelsen said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who tried to sign the Kiwi for Portsmouth in 2006, had "done an incredible job" to keep Spurs to third place in the league. Redknapp wanted him to provide experienced defensive cover and potentially push for a place in the team, Nelsen said.
He has had just one game for Blackburn this year because of a knee injury. But Nelsen said he "played for Blackburn behind closed doors this week" and the "knee felt really great". He said he would be able to play immediately, "but my match fitness isn't where I would like it be yet".
Nelsen spoke to The Press as he was driving to Blackburn's training ground "to pick up my boots" and say his goodbyes to the club he captained for much of his seven-year career at Elwood Park and close to 200 first-team matches.
He said he made "lifelong friends" at the club and it was a "place I will always remember, the club and the whole town". "It's been a fantastic time in my life."
Nelsen was released from his contract at Blackburn after a meeting with Rovers officials. He said he had been "looking at other options" and Blackburn, who are battling against relegation, were "looking to go in a different direction".
He had already had messages from Blackburn teammates. "Everyone's wished me all the best."
Nelsen has never discussed his salary details but it is common knowledge senior premier league players are on multi-million pound contracts.
Asked if he was getting a big pay rise at Tottenham, a much bigger club than Blackburn, Nelsen said: "It's never been about money for me...this is a great life experience; it's just an incredible opportunity."
Nelsen's United States agent Lyle Yorks told the Washington Post Redknapp "has always been a big fan of Ryan. When the opportunity came up, it really played itself out today, before the transfer deadline hit."
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said Nelsen had "done incredibly well in a very, very tough league, arguably the best in the world".
"So to move to a club like that who's doing incredibly well and could well be playing in Champions League football as well...it will be fantastic profile for the country as well."
Nelsen will commute from his family's Cheshire home to London to play for his new club.
After Spurs' 3-1 win over Wigan earlier today Redknapp spoke of his admiration for Nelsen.
"Ryan is a great competitor, a good sort to have around the place, I've always liked him," he told English newspapers.
New Zealand football great Steve Sumner said Nelsen's transfer was "a fantastic move". "It's absolutely fantastic for a guy of 34 that a top-three team have seen some future in him".
Sumner's 1982 World Cup finals teammate Bobby Almond, a former Spurs youth team player, was also pleased to hear Nelsen was joining his old club, although he left "he would never have left" Blackburn. "But Ryan has got to look after himself and he's made a sensible decision for his career...I might put my Tottenham Hotspur shirt back on now," Almond quipped.
I can't believe the manager hasn't been given the boot already
