New signing Xavi Simons underlined how thrilled he is to sign for Spurs – and explained how Thomas Frank played a big role in his transfer.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joined us on Friday from German side RB Leipzig, embarking on a new chapter of an already impressive career that has seen him win silverware in France with Paris Saint-Germain and on the Dutch scene with PSV.
A product of Barcelona’s Academy, he has also shone on the senior international stage with the Netherlands in recent years after making his debut at none other than the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“I’m really happy!” he smiled as he spoke as a Spurs player for the first time. “I’m really happy as well for my family, we’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. Always in my career they’ve been with me, so being with them in this moment is special.”
Going into detail about his move, Xavi continued: “First of all, the project suited me. The second most important thing for me is the coach. I spoke to him, he showed me a presentation that really impacted me and that was the final decision for me. It’s the right coach, the right people and I believe that we will achieve really good things.
“Obviously, we spoke about football – the way he sees the team, the way he sees me in the team. The second part was that I had a really, really, really good feeling with him. I think that connection that you have and that you need at the start with someone is important, and after the meeting I said to my family, ‘yeah, this is it!’”
> Obviously, we spoke about football – the way he sees the team, the way he sees me in the team. The second part was that I had a really, really, really good feeling with him.
Explaining what he hopes to bring to the team, Xavi continued: “I would say I’m a really disciplined guy, then of course the skills, the flair. I just want to work hard and to win, that’s my main goal, and to give everything for the fans as well. I’ve seen some clips of the players and the fans – it gave me goosebumps and I cannot wait to start. I’ve heard so many things, so I want to see it and feel it for myself. In the Premier League, the atmosphere is – I think – the best atmosphere in the world and the fans have a big role in that. I’m ready to go!”
Despite his young age, Xavi already has plenty of experience around Europe. He told us about some of his endeavours to date: “I was born in Amsterdam, I grew up in Spain, then I made the step to Paris. PSG represented my first professional steps and I think as well with some of the best players in the world. Then I went to PSV. It shaped me in my way of playing, playing consistently – it was really important for me with a coach like Ruud van Nistelrooy. Then I made the move to Germany, playing two full seasons in the Bundesliga and Champions League. With that experience, I felt it was time to come here.
“For me, the dedication will always be there, the hard work will be there, I just need to be happy, I need to be in a place where I know I can develop with the players and, not only them, with the coach as well. That’s the important thing for me, to be the best version of myself.”
Watch | Xavi Simons' first interview at Spurs
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