Source: Telegraph
Gareth Bale signs new Tottenham contract
As exclusively revealed by Telegraph Sport last week, the Wales international, who joined Tottenham from Southampton as a 17-year-old in May 2007, has been rewarded for his scintillating form under Redknapp this season with a new deal tying him to White Hart Lane until 2014. [LNB]Spurs clinched their top-four place and Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win at Manchester City on Wednesday. [LNB]Bale can play at left-back or on the left wing and has been an integral member of the Spurs team which has broken into the top four this term. He has made 32 appearances, scoring two goals. [LNB]Redknapp said: "He's still a young player and he's become as good a left-sided player in the Premier League as there is. [LNB]"Signing Gareth on a long-term deal was very important because you have got to keep your best players, we're a club that's looking to progress, and he is certainly one of our very best players, so it's good to have his future secure." [LNB]A statement on the club's official website added: "The club is delighted to announce that Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract which runs until 2014."[LNB]His displays have certainly caught the attention and Bale was linked with a move to Manchester United as a long-term successor to Ryan Giggs. But now he has committed his future to Spurs. [LNB]Bale made his Wales debut aged 16 years and 315 days against Trinidad and Tobago in May 2006 and has won 24 caps, scoring two goals. [LNB]Spurs finish the season, on Sunday, at Burnley, with an outside chance of finishing third. [LNB]If Arsenal lose at home to Fulham - unlikely given the fact they have never been beaten at home by their London rivals - a win at Turf Moor would see Spurs in the top three. [LNB]But Redknapp added: "We'll go into the last game and give it our best shot but it will be difficult for Fulham to get a result at Arsenal. [LNB]"Roy (Hodgson) has a Europa League final next Wednesday to consider and he has to do what he feels is right for his club. [LNB]"We are just happy to be where we are. If we could win at Burnley, which won't be easy, and Fulham pull of a miracle, then all the better but it's a long shot, that's for sure."[LNB][LNB]
