Tottenham have completed the signing of Conor Gallagher for a reported £34 million from Atletico Madrid.
The white-half of north London hijacked Aston Villa‘s loan bid for the former Chelsea man to give Atletico a permanent option, which they took.
The 25-year-old returns to the Premier League and London after 18 months away in Spain where he played regularly under Diego Simeone.
He will wear the number 22 recently vacated by Brennan Johnson and worn by the likes of Robbie Keane, Tim Huddlestone and Vedran Ćorluka down the years.
Spurs fans have hailed the arrival of the 22-time England international with some believing he is the leader that the club needs.
One user wrote: “I reckon he is going to our next captain.”
Another wrote: “No matter how I feel initially, I’m a sucker for new player videos. Please help us bro, we need it.”
Another fan posted: “Exactly the right words and what we need. Could end up being our captain.”
Back in August 2023, Gallagher captained Chelsea for the first time, in a 2–1 EFL Cup victory over Wimbledon and he would go on to wear the armband on several other occasions.
In Tottenham’s announcement video, Gallagher said his first words to his new fanbase.
Gallagher said: “Heart. Energy. Grit. Demanding More. Standing Tall. Driving us forward.
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“I’m Conor Gallagher. I’m here to give everything.”
The midfielder has 95 appearances under his belt for Chelsea, his boyhood club and fierce rival of Spurs, before leaving for Atletico Madrid in 2024.
Gallagher played plenty in Spain. He recorded 50 appearances in his first season and had played 27 times this term with his final outing coming in the Madrid derby – but in Saudi Arabia – against Real.
The England international turned down Aston Villa in order to move to Spurs, a curious decision to some.
Villa are third in the Premier League table and right in the title picture while Spurs are languishing in 14th in Thomas Frank‘s first season in charge.
Gallagher’s family are based in London and game time will be imperative with the World Cup looming at the end of the season.