Tiago on his way to Tottenham

Former Benfica player admits his Italian stint is over

Portuguese international Tiago is set to sign for Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur from Juventus for 13 million euros. The clubs have reportedly agreed the fee and only personal terms are left to settle.

The midfielder was the most expensive signing made by the Italian giants last summer as they attempted to build a title-winning team upon their return to the top flight.

But things have turned sour in Italy, with Tiago very much a fringe player and incurring the wrath of both coach Claudio Ranieri and the unforgiving Italian press who have labelled him the worst close-season signing.

Tottenham’s Spanish coach Juande Ramos will now attempt to get the best out of Tiago, while the player himself will be keen to hit top form ahead of Euro 2008. Tiago disputes a starting place at the heart of the Portugal midfield with Maniche and Deco.

Three-time championship winner

The 26-year-old played for Braga and Benfica in Portugal, before being part of championship winning sides in three consecutive seasons, first at Chelsea, under Jose Mourinho, then twice for French side Lyon, where he became one of the team’s key players.

So impressive were Tiago’s performances in his two-year spell in France that the ‘Old Lady’ bought the Portugal international in the close season, enticing him with a lucrative contract until 2012.

However, Tiago was used only occasionally by Ranieri, and speculation has grown throughout the transfer window that he would make the switch from Turin to London, where he is likely to settle quickly given his Chelsea experience.

His exit from the Stadio Delle Alpi was as good as confirmed by the player himself during training earlier this week. Italian sports daily TuttoSport reported that after giving an autograph a fan asked him about his future, to which he replied “I can’t continue here. I think I’ll be leaving very soon.”

Tiago will join fellow Portuguese Ricardo Rocha at the English club, who was a former team-mate of his at Braga.


Related: Tiago PortuGOAL profile