David Bentley has insisted it "meant the world" to sign for Tottenham and backed the club to break into the Premier League's top four this season.
The England winger completed his move from Blackburn, worth an initial £15million, late on Wednesday night and has agreed a six-year contract.
He told a news conference: "It means the world to join Tottenham.
"Gazza was my favourite player, all my mates are Tottenham fans and there's a piece of my heart at this club.
"I didn't think they would be interested in me and when it became available there was nowhere else I wanted to go."
Asked about the fact he began his professional career with Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal, Bentley said: "That's in the past, I grew up through the Arsenal youth team but it's not a problem for me, all my heart is at Tottenham and all my passion will be tunnelled into doing well for Tottenham."
He immediately targeted a challenge for Champions League qualification, which would require big-spending Spurs breaking up the dominance of the division's 'big four'.
"We can do anything we want, anything we put our minds to. You've seen what Juande Ramos did last year; the fitness and level of play has risen and I want to be part of that, hopefully we'll keep progressing and doing well.
"It's all there for us - if we're all up for it it's quite possible."
Bentley continued: "I'm excited by it. There are a lot of good players here, you look at (Luka) Modric, Giovani dos Santos and I'm looking forward to fitting in the side somewhere.
"Making the move here was an easy decision to make to be honest. I've been trying my hardest to come here and be part of this. All my friends are season ticket holders. All I want to do is just get out there."
Spurs boss Juande Ramos added: "I'm sure he will bring the best ability to our team and we can help him maximise his potential.
"We are in a state of preparation now, it's pre-season, we are trying to share out the players on the field. We'll assess him fitness-wise and try and get him into the team as soon as possible."
Bentley has no doubts about the former Sevilla boss' prowess, adding: "Working under someone like Ramos is great. He's going to get the best out of me.
"I've got a lot of respect for him for what he's achieved. I've talked a lot to the other players about him and I'm sure he'll push me on to the next level. He's really good.
"I've been training and spent seven to 10 days on my own doing a lot of running knowing hopefully that the deal will go through. It's been very emotional.
"I aim to be as successful as I can. I'm going to give as much as I can. I've come here with a big price tag and I have to repay Tottenham with all my heart."
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Comment 6 - 25 of 25
Why is it such a big deal?! Why would I lie about knowing someone?!! He played in the same league as me as a kid before going off to Arsenal when he was about 13. Quality to see him doing so well now. Very surreal to see him score that goal against Arsenal the other week.
noris brett your talking out ya @#$% as if you know him
To Andrew- Spurs haven't been in the top four since the Prem started? Where were you two seasons ago when we were 4th in the league right the way up until the last day? Oh that's right, you were below Spurs. COYS!!
Welllll if he's not good enough for Arsenal....
I am bothered that footballers are overpaid, it's a worry that the least intelligent people in our society are often earning the most money. Eg. footballers, talentless reality 'stars' and other 'celebrity' hangers-on.
what kind of deep sh*& is a spurs fan?!
:S
footballers are just slightly better than postitutes
Roxy Glad to see Chimbonda gone? I´m sorry but your defence was horrifying last year. You should buy proper defenders instead of buying players like Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko (not bought yet) or Bentley. What´s the point if you have great midfield and strikers but shaky defense? In my opinion decent goalkeeper and defence is beginning of everything
yeah the piece deep down that knows it was never good enough to be a GOONER
AHA this boy makes me laugh...
he is a money grabbing peice of @#$%. he was raised by arsenal he owes arsenal EVERYTHING.
and he is saying his heart belongs to spurs.
you are a @#$% disgrace
Bentley is completely overrated. Spurs have been ripped off. 17 million. What a joke! Spurs have't been in the top 4 since the Premier League started. That won't be changing soon. COME ON ARSENAL!
TOBSOIL IS A @#$%. This @#$% has no life and probably shags a blowup doll.
I've known bentley from a young age and he's always been a spurs supporter. When Liverpool, Man C and Villa we're interested I always knew he would sign for Spurs. Maybe he will move on in years to come but if you make it as a pro you wanna have a spell at your boyhood club.
I wish him all the best and believe he will add a lot to the team. Its Just sooo crazy seeing a guy I know sign for my club!!
Needed to add this as people we're annoying me, saying that he's only stated his passion for Spurs because of other players!
I really hope he isnt spinning a story in the wake of robbie keane's wish of playing for the club he supported as a boy, the blackburn fans think he's using spurs as a stepping stone to a bigger club, maybe just like kaboul was reported as saying when he turned up, cant say I'm happy to lose malbranque or kaboul, glad to see chimbonda gone
Bentley is quality and so would be the signing of Pavluychenko.Arshavin maybe a bit lightweight(could be another Rebrov),but we'll see.
BENTLEY is THE MOST OVERATED PLAYER IN THE WORLD.DOES THIS SURPRISE ME?NOPE HE HIS BRITISH.
hear that people, he wants to play for spurs. after all the recent @#$% from keane and berba it is very refreshing to hear. arshavin and pavluychenko and we will be in serious business, bring it on.
Bentley is a quality young player and that is what we need at spurs. As to his comments, all footballers comments must be taken with a pinch of salt nowadays. After the champs league final Ronaldo said he didnt want to be anywhere else, now look at him. Hope he proves his worth and does his talking on the field, block 31 coys
Who cares if footballers are overpaid... if they werent getting the money someone in a suit would! Good luck to him but I dont think he's all that... I dont recall Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barca bidding for him!
It seems that anyone transferring will always have nice things to say about their new club - look at Keano's comments on joining Liverpool.
Anyone know what Bentley's weekly wage will be compared to what he had at Blackburn?
I'm sure he'll come up with the goods for us though when push comes to shove.
b4 u know it, his heart will belong to barcelona or utd (of whom spurs are their official feeder club) ... "all my mates are season ticket holders..."
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