Spurs seal deal for Bale but injury will delay his debut

TOTTENHAM have confirmed the return of Gareth Bale on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and have handed him the No9 shirt.

However, Spurs supporters will have to wait until after the next international break for his debut as his medical uncovered a knee injury. The setback means he’s setting his sights on the home fixture with West Ham on October 17 for his possible debut.

Tottenham announced: ‘Gareth sustained a knee injury while playing for Wales earlier this month and this, together with La Liga’s later start compared with the Premier League, means he has had a limited pre-season. We anticipate he will be match fit after October’s international break.’

Seven years after leaving for a then-world record £86million, the 31-year-old (right) has agreed a deal that fits into Tottenham’s wage structure on around £200,000 a week.

He said: ‘It’s nice to be back, where I made my name. I always thought about returning. I’m hungry, I’m motivated, I can’t wait to get started. I want to help the team win trophies.

‘Hopefully, I can bring a bit more belief back to the dressing room and that winning mentality. I want to get us to the next level and that’s win trophies. To do it at Tottenham now would be a dream come true.’

In his last season at Spurs, Bale scored 21 goals and set up another four. Those who have played alongside him also believe he can make the difference. Luka Modric was a team-mate of Bale’s for 11 years at Spurs and in Madrid. He said: ‘Gareth is a great player.

‘If he is fit mentally and prepared, he has two or three great playing years in front of him.’

Bale will be joined by Real Madrid club-mate, left-back Sergio Reguilon, for a fee that could rise to £32m but will be fixed to a minimal payment in the first year.

They completed medicals in Madrid on Thursday and are likely to meet conditions that will enable them to avoid quarantining in the UK.

Reguilon was named the best left-back in La Liga for his performances last season while on loan at Sevilla and made his Spain debut this month in a 4-0 win over Ukraine in the Nations League. Both had been targets for Manchester United.