Tottenham Hotspur Football Club News

• Nickname:Spurs
• Founded:1882
• Manager:Harry Redknapp

• Ground:White Hart Lane
• Capacity:36,240

Defoe determined to remain

08 Jan 2008 - 08:02:14

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Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe is determined to prove coach Juande Ramos wrong and earn a new contract to remain at White Hart Lane.

The England international has been told by the Spanish coach that he is free to leave the club should he wish, but Defoe is adamant his future lies in north London.

The 25-year-old has started just two Premier League games this season and has constantly been linked with a move away from the club.

Defoe has less than 18 months remaining on his existing contract and had rejected the opportunity to extend his deal earlier in the season.

"The manager has said I can leave if I want, but I want to prove him wrong. I want to stay here," he told The Sun.

"He called me into his office and told me. At first I thought it was a joke, I thought he was going to say I would be starting against Arsenal in the Carling Cup which was why he didn't give me a game against Reading (in the FA Cup) at the weekend.

"But he just said 'You can leave if you want to'. Yet I have no intentions of leaving this club because I love it here.

"I would love to sign a new contract and I know people at the top of the club want me to stay.

"But no-one can expect me to sign a new deal if I can't get a game.

"I just want to get back into the team and then I will be desperate to sign a new contract.

"I have no desire to play for any club other than Spurs."