Mohammed Kudus (25) revealed the reason he was solely focused on Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham announced on their club website on the 11th (Korea time) that "Kudus has arrived from West Ham. We are pleased to announce his signing. A representative of Ghana, he has agreed to a long-term contract and will wear the number 20 jersey."
Tottenham introduced Kudus, saying, "After going through the Ghana U-20 team, he made his debut in the senior national team in November 2019 and showcased his presence by scoring in his debut match against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He subsequently scored two goals in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and is currently playing as a key resource for the national team in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He has recorded 12 goals in 42 international matches to date."
The club added, "Kudus is a fast and direct dribbler, a versatile attacking asset with the ability to use both feet, and is expected to be an important asset as Tottenham prepares for the Champions League after winning the Europa League. Attention is on what role Kudus will take under manager Thomas Frank."
According to local British media, Kudus' transfer fee is 55 million pounds (approximately 102.5 billion won), and the contract duration is 6 years. He became the first player to switch from West Ham to Tottenham since Scott Parker in 2011. The two London rivals had not conducted a player transaction for the past 14 years, but this deal broke that transfer taboo.
Kudus, who is starting a new challenge at Tottenham, said in his first official interview with the club, "I am really happy to be here. I am very pleased and want to get started quickly. I am a very direct winger, strong, and very adept at opposing defenses, creating opportunities. There is a lot of talent in my game."
Kudus also added, "I enjoy giving joy to fans. That's the essence of football. Football is about recalling memories when fans go home and spend money on tickets. Of course, there are seriousness and competition in the matches, but I believe it’s a sport that should be enjoyed as much as possible and offers enjoyment to the fans. I hope the fans really enjoy what I will bring to this team."
He cited manager Thomas Frank as the reason he chose Tottenham. Kudus said, "The most important part of the reason I came here is the club project and how the manager views the project and developing under him. I've seen how many talents he has led to becoming excellent players. That is the biggest sign showing why I wanted to play football under him."
Kudus is expected to play on the UEFA Champions League (UCL) stage next season with Tottenham. Although Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League last season, they secured a UCL ticket by winning the UEFA Europa League (UEL).
Kudus already has UCL experience. He played in 9 UCL matches over three seasons from 2020 to 2023 during his time at Ajax. Notably, in his last season, he showcased an outstanding performance by scoring 4 goals in 6 group stage matches.
Kudus, who is making a return to the UCL stage after a long time, expressed, "I know very well how big of a club Tottenham is. I know Tottenham's history well. For me, it is a significant moment because I wanted to play at the highest level through the UCL."
In conclusion, he stated, "The UCL is one of the biggest stages in football. I have a little experience from playing a few matches at Ajax. I know that it is the highest level of football and that a lot of quality and focus is required throughout the match. I want to utilize my personal abilities to help the team reach the highest level possible."
Kudus, representing Ghana, is a multi-player who can fill several positions. He joined Ajax in 2020 and has established himself as a second striker and attacking midfielder, showcasing vigorous activity, rapid dribbling, and sharp finishing.
Kudus scored 16 goals in 63 matches in the Netherlands Eredivisie over three seasons at Ajax. Notably, he drew significant attention in the 2022-2023 season, scoring 11 goals and providing 3 assists in just 30 matches. He is also a familiar name among Korean football fans, having led Ghana to victory over South Korea with multiple goals in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
After making a strong impression, Kudus joined West Ham for a transfer fee of 40 million pounds (approximately 74.3 billion won) during the summer of 2023, receiving several offers. He has excelled as a starting winger for West Ham in the Premier League with his excellent dribbling and physicality. Over two seasons, he has made 80 appearances, scoring 19 goals.
Tottenham, seeking to strengthen their attacking line, has signed Kudus. West Ham also decided to part ways with Kudus, whose position overlaps with 'ace' Jarrod Bowen, as they need to reorganize their squad and secure finances under manager Graham Potter, who was appointed as a firefighter last season. Kudus, who only shouted for a move to Tottenham, is expected to compete primarily with Brennan Johnson or Dejan Kulusevski while taking charge of Tottenham's right flank.
[Photo] Tottenham social media.
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