Yesterday's enemy, today's colleague. The awkward meeting between Kudus and Micky van de Ven ended in laughter.
Tottenham Hotspur has officially signed Ghana national team forward Mohammed Kudus. On the 11th (Korean time), the club announced through its channel that it has signed a long-term contract with Kudus, conditional on the issuance of a work permit, confirming his jersey number as 20. Kudus is a versatile player who has previously played for Ajax and West Ham. He has proven his competitiveness in the Premier League with explosive dribbling ability, ambidextrous shooting skills, and aerial prowess.
In the summer of 2023, Kudus joined West Ham for a transfer fee of about 74.3 billion won and had an impressive performance, scoring 14 goals in all competitions in his first season. However, in the 2024 season, his performance stalled due to injuries and tactical changes, resulting in just 5 goals in the league. Amid ongoing speculation about his transfer, Tottenham successfully acquired him with a significant investment of 102.5 billion won.
Interestingly, this transfer marks the first 'transaction' between London derby teams in 14 years since Scott Parker in 2011. Tottenham and West Ham effectively halted unofficial trades as rival clubs, but the signing of Kudus has broken down that long-standing barrier. However, the reaction from West Ham fans has been harsh. Fans have directed strong criticism at Kudus, calling him a "traitor."
But the problem wasn't just with the fans. Kudus and the Tottenham players had a clear 'past' as well. In a match against West Ham last October, Kudus caused a collision with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven by making a violent tackle, resulting in a red card after pushing Pape Sarr's face. Even Richarlison, who tried to intervene, was shocked and collapsed, turning the match chaotic, and eventually, Kudus received a five-match ban and a fine of about 111 million won from the Football Association.
Due to this, on the first day Kudus joined the Tottenham squad, the club appeared somewhat nervous. Some fans expressed concern over the awkward atmosphere, saying, "There’s no way we can forget that situation." However, Tottenham chose to kick off Kudus' first press content by having him reunite with van de Ven, his past clash opponent.
The video released by the club shows Kudus appearing with an awkward expression, waving his hand to a tune that says, "Nice to meet you," while van de Ven accepts it with a smile. The two players shared a high five, laughing together to lighten the mood, and this scene has become a topic of conversation on social media.
Ultimately, the past misfortunes were put aside for a cheerful scene, and Tottenham embarked on a rebuilding phase with their new attacking asset, Kudus. With rumors swirling around key players like Son Heung-min, Richarlison, and Bryan Gil, Kudus is expected to become an important card. Attention will be focused on what tactical value he proves under Frank's management.
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