Fraser Forster has admitted he wanted to join Tottenham as soon as he heard of the interest from the club. Coming through the system at Newcastle United before making a big name for himself north of the border with Celtic, Forster headed south in 2014 after joining Southampton in a deal worth around £10million.
After playing 24 games for Saints last season, the 34-year-old's role has changed since making the switch to N17 as he has played second fiddle to Hugo Lloris. Despite making only three appearances for Tottenham, Forster is enjoying his time at the club and has settled in extremely well.
"It was time for a new challenge for me, I enjoyed my time at Southampton, there were ups and downs along the way, being there for eight years," said the experienced goalkeeper in the club's matchday programme for the Portsmouth game. "For me, it was just time for a new challenge, a new opportunity and, to be fair, as soon as I heard of the interest from Spurs, I knew I wanted to come here.
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"Obviously. it's a huge club, I saw how they'd finished last season, what they are trying to build and the ambition they have got. For me, it was just to come and be a part of that. I'm fully aware that Hugo (Lloris) is Hugo, you know what I mean - what he has achieved in the game, how long he has been here. But for me, I just thought it was an opportunity to be part of a massive club and just see where it takes me. It was a no-brainer.
"And it's been good so far. It's been busy, a lot of games generally for the team, but l've settled in really well. It's a great bunch of lads and there is a great togetherness. I obviously knew a few lads before I came here which made it even easier. It's just been dead easy to fit in."
Since signing on the dotted line at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Lloris has made a huge impression on Forster after working with him day in, day out at Hotspur Way.
"I was aware coming in that Hugo was going to be the number one," admitted Forster. "He's a really good guy. He's very easy to get on with, like everyone in the changing room. We all know what he has achieved in the game. To be at a club like this for the amount time he has been, he's obviously doing something right. He's a World Cup winner. So, it's obviously been good to come in and train with him.
"And I was just ready for a fresh start, somewhere new and this was the perfect place really. I was aware of my role when I came in and, ultimately, if you're not playing, you help the ones who are while also helping the lads that maybe aren't playing as well because every situation is different - hopefully, l'm doing that.
"Then, of course, in terms of matches, when I came in, I missed a couple of games in pre-season through COVID and then got a couple of minutes here and there in pre-season friendlies, but it's always nice to get your first appearance out the way - and it was obviously nice to be back out there in the Premier League as well.
"Of course, it would have been nice if the results had been slightly different, but I think it is always good when you come to a new club to get a few appearances and to play in the Premier League for this club is something special.
"Every club you play for is different. You're always playing for different things, trying to achieve different things. Obviously, I came from Southampton and there, first and foremost, it was about staying in the Premier League whereas, here, when you look at what the club achieved last season, we're looking to build on that, and as well, it's the start of a journey.
"Last season were the first stepping stones. It's obviously a huge club and one with great ambitions so, to be here, and working with the manager we've got, that's something special, and I'm loving it."
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