Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen targeting trophies with Benfica

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By ( Press Association ) published
Jan Vertonghen hints at leaving Tottenham when his current deal ends this summer
(Image credit: Martin Rickett)

Benfica have signed former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

The 33-year-old left Spurs at the end of the season after eight years in north London after the club decided not to renew his contract.

“I came here to win trophies, I want to achieve those things,” he said at his official unveiling. “Becoming champion is definitely one of the goals I want to achieve.

“If you look at the Benfica team now it is a great team and it is one of the goals to continue playing in the Champions League and I definitely think we can achieve those things.

“Six years at Ajax and eight years at Tottenham, that reflects the way I want to be as a footballer, I like stability and that is what Benfica offered me and that was very important for me. That was the most important thing in me signing, I really felt the confidence.

“Benfica is a club of the people, with ambition domestically and in Europe and that was important to me, I really want to achieve things and Benfica has the same ambitions that I have.”

The Portuguese club have also announced the arrivals of Brazilian winger Everton and striker Luca Waldschmidt.