Tottenham capture Kieran Trippier from relegated Clarets
Tottenham (5/1 with Coral for a top four finish) have announced the signing of full back Kieran Trippier from Burnley for a fee believed to be around £3.5m, reportedly fending off interest from Liverpool to tie the talented defender to a five-year deal.
SIGNED: We are delighted to announce that we have completed the transfer of @trippier2 from Burnley. pic.twitter.com/f43daSAyDd
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 19, 2015
The Bury-born right back has already spoken of his delight at the switch to Spurs (12/1 to win the FA Cup), stating: “When I first heard that the Club was interested I didn’t have to think twice. It’s such a big club and now I just can’t wait to get started and show everyone what I can do.”
Trippier, 24, is Tottenham’s second signing of the summer so far, and will follow fellow defensive recruit Kevin Wimmer to White Hart Lane once the transfer window re-opens on July 1st.
As one of the relegated Clarets’ top performers in a spirited but disappointing campaign, Trippier understandably attracted attention after his reliable and consistent 38 Premier League outings in the right back berth.
A Manchester City academy graduate, Trippier had to leave the Sky Blues to find regular first-team football, first learning his trade on loan at Barnsley and then Burnley, before committing his future to the Turf Moor team permanently in 2012.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has clearly identified his rearguard as the priority area for reinforcements this summer, and Trippier’s arrival at White Hart Lane could spell trouble for Kyle Walker.
United States international full back DeAndre Yedlin is set to link-up with Tottenham this off-season, while centre back Eric Dier has also been regularly deployed as a makeshift right back, meaning their will be serious competition for the role.
Despite initial high hopes for the powerful and pacey Walker, the 25-year-old has suffered with both injury and consistency issues, and could now find himself struggling to retain his spot.
Trippier’s switch could not come at a better time for the Englishman, as Roy Hodgson is yet to settle on a regular right back ahead of Euro 2016 next summer.
Manchester United utility man Phil Jones and Southampton star Nathaniel Clyne are yet to make the position their own despite numerous chances, while soon-to-be free agent Glen Johnson has seemingly slipped out of contention.
With a starting spot up for grabs, Trippier, who has previously been capped twice for the England Under-21s, will surely be hoping a move to the more high-profile Spurs can put him in contention for international duty.
