Gareth Bale has revealed the stress he felt as his protracted transfer from Real Madrid to Tottenham eventually neared completion.
The summer transfer window was dominated by talk of the nine-time European champions making a bid for the Welshman but the deal was not completed until the day before the window closed as Real got their man in a world-record 100million euro (£85.3million) deal.
There were many times that the move was seemingly on the verge of collapse as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy tried to get the best deal for his club and Bale admits it was a stressful time.
"It was a long time. It was very stressful to say the least," Bale told BT Sport.
"I knew their interest from the start and I was always confident the move would go through but obviously the chairman Daniel Levy had to do his business and do Tottenham well so I kind of understood that.
"But at the same time, thinking of myself, It was a hard time, it was stressful and I just had to be patient and try and focus."
Since completing his switch on Sunday night, Bale has spoken of his move to the Bernabeu as a dream and has now revealed how he used to follow the club as a child.
"When I was younger I had some close friends and we always loved European football and Real Madrid at that time were the dominant force and we always watched Real Madrid," the BT Sport Ambassador said.
"I remember family holidays, we used to go Spain, and we'd bring back replica shirts of Real Madrid and wear them out and always pretend to be the players when we played in the park.
"It just started from there and I followed them since. Obviously the football they play, the team they are is amazing and it's just great to be there."
Source: PA
