Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs net Pavlyuchenko

by
Luke Brown
30 August 2008

Tottenham have today completed the signing of Russian international striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, signing the player from Russian club Spartak Moscow.

The striker joins after months of speculation regarding his future and signed a contract with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday morning. The Russian has moved to London despite earlier expressing fears over moving his family to England.

Pavlyuchenko spoke to a Russian newspaper yesterday about earlier saying he didn’t want to move;

“The only thing that has kept me from moving is my family.” Pavlyuchenko told the paper. “It was difficult for me to imagine how my wife and daughter could move from a place they are used to. I was also embarrassed that I could not speak English.”

“But my doubts are all behind me now. I have decided I will sign with Tottenham. Formalities will be settled in a day or two. I will fly to England to sign the contract.”

Tottenham are believed to have signed the striker for around £12mil. However other sources are claiming that Spurs have spent more then £12mil, figures of £16mil have been mentioned by some newspapers.

Pavlyuchenko is no stranger to fans of English football, after scoring both goals in Russia’s 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Spurs fans will be hoping he can replicate some of that from alongside Darren Bent, who is desperately lacking in goals and confidence.

Pavlyuchenko is expected to miss the Chelsea game, however he’s injury free and could make his debut next month.