Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama has comleted his move to Southampton FC on a Sh1.6bn.PHOTO/courtesy
UNITED KINGDOM, June 23 -Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Victor Wanyama from Southampton for an undisclosed fee.
The former Celtic midfielder has agreed a five-year contract with the club until 2021.
Sky sources reported on Saturday that the two clubs were close to agreeing a deal for the midfielder to be reunited with manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Wanyama flying in from his native Kenya on Sunday for a medical and to sign his contract.
Now Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Wanyama, who turns 25 on Saturday, on their Twitter page.
“We are delighted to announce that we have completed the transfer of Victor Wanyama from Southampton,” a tweet said. “The midfielder has agreed a contract with the club until 2021.”
Wanyama has penned an open letter to Southampton fans on his official website to thank them for their support during his time at St Mary’s.
“I write to you with a heavy heart to announce that I will be leaving Southampton Football Club. As you can imagine it is very emotional for me to say goodbye to the club that gave me the chance to be the first Kenyan to play in [the] Premier League,” he said.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the most important part of every club, the fans. I want to reassure you that any ‘quotes’ you have read about in the media before my move was announced are false. I would never disrespect you by talking to the media before I have talked to you guys.
“It took a while for me to win you all over but I can truly say that with your support and affection I have grown as a player and a person.
“You guys have always been there to lift us up when we were down, and to celebrate with us when we were playing well. I feel really proud that I got the opportunity to wear the Southampton shirt.
“Secondly, football is a team sport and it wouldn’t be right not to thank my amazing teammates. Jose [Fonte], thanks for leading the team and always being there to pick us up when we needed encouragement. Thanks to the rest of the team for always giving 100 per cent effort, I will miss all of you.
“I also want to thank every member of the Southampton staff: those who work behind the scenes and never get credit for their contribution to our success on the pitch. We are nothing without you.
“I will never forget my time in Southampton Football Club, I will keep club forever in my heart.”
It is the second time Pochettino has signed the tough-tackling midfielder after taking him to Southampton in 2013 when he was in charge at St Mary’s, with Wanyama going on to make 94 appearances for the club.
