Ivan Perisic: Tottenham sign winger on free transfer from Inter Milan - BBC Sport
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Ivan Perisic: Tottenham sign winger on free transfer from Inter Milan

Last updated on .From the section Tottenhamcomments1435

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic on a two-year deal until 2024.

The 33-year-old had a medical with the Premier League club on Monday and will join on a free transfer on 1 July when his contract with Inter expires.

Perisic worked with Antonio Conte when the Spurs boss led Inter to the 2020-21 Serie A title.

He said: "It is a privilege to work with a coach like this. I am really happy to see him again."

Perisic played 49 times and scored 10 goals this season in all competitions as Inter won the Coppa Italia.

The Croatia international is Tottenham's first signing of the summer, with Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster also expected to join the north London club.

"I am really excited to start with the Spurs family," added Perisic.

"I was watching the last two of three games and, after the victory against Arsenal, it was obvious Tottenham would be in the Champions League - and it was also good for me because I want to play in the best games.

"I like to work a lot, I like to work for the team. I can play several positions in the system that Tottenham are playing now and I will also bring a lot of experience because I used to play for a lot of great clubs. I can't wait to start to play and to train and to do my best."

Analysis

BBC Radio 5 Live's George Cummins

Ivan Perisic fits the model of player Antonio Conte wants.

"You can be good, you can be creative - but at the same time be strong physically, run a lot and be resilient," the Tottenham manager said in February.

Perisic is Conte's third signing from Serie A in six months and the Italian will be hoping he is as successful as Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, who joined in January.

Signing a 33-year-old on big wages is a break from the norm for Tottenham.

It appears chairman Daniel Levy is putting his trust in managing director Fabio Paratici and Conte, with their knowledge of the Italian market.

More signings are expected to follow, including goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Meanwhile, Harry Winks, Giovani lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele could all leave over the summer.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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1435 comments

  • Comment posted by The Iron Duke, at 10:35 30 May 2022

    Nice to see all the laughing and spite. Just like all the laughing and ‘reject’ comments about Bentancur and Kulusevski in January, and the “who ?” comments about Romero in August. You aren’t laughing now are you Woolwich Bottling Factory Works Team fans ?

    • Reply posted by Billy McFlipFlops, at 11:26 30 May 2022

      Billy McFlipFlops replied:
      Yes and don't forget that Kane is nothing more than a one season wonder.

  • Comment posted by gio, at 10:41 30 May 2022

    I'm not a Spurs fan but anyone with a football brain can see getting someone like him for free can only be a good thing

    • Reply posted by frannie, at 10:51 30 May 2022

      frannie replied:
      200k a week free ?

  • Comment posted by iwys, at 10:39 30 May 2022

    I watch Serie A regularly and Perisic is currently one of the best players in the world. A great loss for Inter but a brilliant signing for Spurs.

    • Reply posted by chriswvtr, at 11:52 30 May 2022

      chriswvtr replied:
      I suffer from insomnia too.

  • Comment posted by Ghost of the North Bank, at 11:34 30 May 2022

    I’m surprised to see so many negative comments. Has anyone here watched Perisic play this season? He’s incredibly fit and hard working. He’s versatile, he’s dropped back and played a third of his games in midfield this season, he’s good with both feet, and his salary is about 57k per week. How is this signing anything but a no-brainer?

    As an Arsenal fan, I must congratulate Spurs on this signing

    • Reply posted by Macca, at 14:01 30 May 2022

      Macca replied:
      Well said, buddy. Pleasant change for people to be so balanced on here.

  • Comment posted by Matt F, at 10:26 30 May 2022

    Experienced and a proven winner. Played 49 games last season so far from past it. All of that for free so the club can spend in other areas. Good competition for Sess down the left. An absolute no brainer.

    • Reply posted by Nok Su Kow, at 10:32 30 May 2022

      Nok Su Kow replied:
      Mourinho wanted him at utd, got Pogba!
      I think he's a very good signing. Has a eye for goal and will cause problems for defenders.

  • Comment posted by Sparrow, at 10:18 30 May 2022

    Perisic will be another great addition by Conte. Like Milner, his fitness levels belies his age.

    • Reply posted by PIND DADAN KHAN, at 11:19 30 May 2022

      PIND DADAN KHAN replied:
      Bet he's not boring as James Milner though!! lol
      https://twitter.com/BoringMilner
      (and yes its a parody account)

  • Comment posted by K Star, at 10:14 30 May 2022

    Another good quality signing by Conte ! COYS !!

    • Reply posted by Name, at 12:16 30 May 2022

      Name replied:
      Maybe Spurs can win the "ran Liverpool close that one season" trophy again. It's the best this best Spurs team in a generation have to show over the last 16 years

  • Comment posted by Alex Clemence, at 10:53 30 May 2022

    It’s great business. Virtually no downside. Bet there are some United fans on here though who are making fun of this. Considering Leicester took them to the cleaners over Maguire, and Juventus bent them over the table with taking Pogba and reselling him back, they should probably look at their own transfer policy before judging this signing.

    • Reply posted by Keeping it real 2021, at 11:43 30 May 2022

      Keeping it real 2021 replied:
      Or you could be just assuming there are and that united fans give a monkeys about either your club or this signing?
      If you spot one, pull them up.
      Just assuming they're there and listing transfer failures by them just makes you look like you have a petty agenda.
      Which you do.

  • Comment posted by Plum, at 10:13 30 May 2022

    Welcome to Tottenham Ivan.

  • Comment posted by PG Western, at 10:20 30 May 2022

    Suggests Conte is having influence at Spurs as Levy doesn't normally sanction players of this age , free or not

    • Reply posted by Southgate Knows, at 10:23 30 May 2022

      Southgate Knows replied:
      This is Fabio Paratici's doing

  • Comment posted by Gary Scott, at 10:34 30 May 2022

    Conte did an excellent job at spurs last season. United should have signed him when they had the chance. Looking forward to what he produces with Tottenham this season.

    • Reply posted by My POV, at 15:06 30 May 2022

      My POV replied:
      The top man at United didn’t want Conte or Perisic. That Gary Neville is a hard man to please.

  • Comment posted by Steely_Dan54, at 10:18 30 May 2022

    Great signing if they get him. Will be perfect in the left-wing back position that Conte employs, and Sessegnon will be ready to take over in a couple of years when Perisic moves on.

    • Reply posted by The Tottenham Lore, at 11:05 30 May 2022

      The Tottenham Lore replied:
      I would have thought perisic is replacing hojberg?

  • Comment posted by Dommo, at 10:23 30 May 2022

    Given today's footballers can play well in to their 30's at the top level, although he is 33, he brings experience of winning trophies and a 2 year deals makes perfect sense compared to Spurs normal policy of buy young to sell on later.

    • Reply posted by Name, at 12:17 30 May 2022

      Name replied:
      Just like Mourihno's experience of winning trophies also helped Spurs

  • Comment posted by Timefiller, at 10:52 30 May 2022

    I'm not a Spurs fan but the signing makes sense - he can play left wing back and also cover for Son. It's a logical signing.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 18:49 30 May 2022

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Chelsea didn’t want him then?

  • Comment posted by gerald niblet, at 10:15 30 May 2022

    He always looks impressive

    • Reply posted by cb, at 12:28 30 May 2022

      cb replied:
      Gr8 player, still got legs, Modric proved at the top end class wins through and he's free so the warchest isn't getting hit. If Spurs clearout the rest of the average squad players and bring in quality on frees, its looking very different and exciting for once in the Spurs transfer office. Spurs need techical & proven combined w Conte. Good business if he signs...

  • Comment posted by Mr Smudger, at 10:14 30 May 2022

    Quality player and as a follower of Croatia it will be great to see him in the premier league.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 18:50 30 May 2022

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Chelsea didn’t want him then?

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 10:36 30 May 2022

    Too old? Was one of Inter's most consistent performers this season, taking them to within one game of winning the title.

    • Reply posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 16:04 30 May 2022

      Mr and Mrs Banks replied:
      Then why did Inter let him go?

  • Comment posted by cftrb3xr, at 10:46 30 May 2022

    Could be a great influence and teacher for the younger players and still has the quality to do a job for the team

    • Reply posted by BigAngesBellyButton, at 19:41 30 May 2022

      BigAngesBellyButton replied:
      exactly

  • Comment posted by Good bad and ugly, at 10:28 30 May 2022

    Good player - especially if you can get him on a free transfer!

    • Reply posted by Viva Espana, at 20:50 30 May 2022

      Viva Espana replied:
      I've been a fan of him since the 2018 World Cup.

  • Comment posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 11:04 30 May 2022

    Chelsea fan but this is a good signing. Too many people still saying players are over the hill at 30, which is nonsense nowadays. Just look at James Milner, Modric, Thiago Silva, etc.

    • Reply posted by Stuart Gane, at 13:55 30 May 2022

      Stuart Gane replied:
      5 subs!!

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