The new Tottenham star who officially signs for the club today
Lucas Bergvall is officially a Tottenham Hotspur player after his contract with the club began on Monday (July 1) following his £8.5m transfer from Djurgarden.
Spurs signed the talented young Swede on his 18th birthday in February, seeing off competition from Barcelona, with the midfielder playing the first half of the Allsvenskan season for Djurgarden before taking a rest this month in order to be fresh and ready for his new challenge in the Premier League.
With a five-year contract inked, Bergvall will begin pre-season training from this coming weekend at Hotspur Way but is now officially registered as a Tottenham player following his transfer. He signed off from Djurgarden with six goals and five assists from 18 matches in the league and cup this season, which began in April in Sweden.
“I have another pre-season. It’s a double pre-season for me!” Bergvall told football.london in a big interview in Stockholm last month. “In Sweden you have three or four months of pre-season from January to April when the league starts. So I’ll have another one but I’m not going to complain! I can’t complain!
Tottenham have done a really good job with that and have offered me a few extra days so if I want then I can take that, but I think I have two or three weeks off, so that’s good. I’m going on vacation with my family and girlfriend. I’ll have my last game against Hammarby and then I go on international duty for maybe 10 days and then I’ll start at Tottenham on July 1 so I’ll have some rest first.
“It’s fine though, I love this. I love football but it’s good I suppose to rest mentally and get your energy back. It’s going to be a really exciting new season, with a lot of good impressions to make on a lot of new people so I have to be mentally prepared.”
READ MORE: Tottenham given £50m Jacob Ramsey transfer hope as Ange Postecoglou plots midfield overhaul
In the Stockholm suburbs, Bergvall came through the academy at Brommapojkarna, which also produced Dejan Kulusevski, before joining Djurgarden.
Brommapojkarna’s head of youth and recruiting Tommy Soderstrom knows a thing or two about finding talent, having worked for years as a scout for Manchester United after being asked personally by Sir Alex Ferguson, before recently starting a similar role for Ajax.
“Anders Limpar is the best player we’ve produced. The highest level in Europe is very difficult. Dejan Kulusevski is a very good player, but Lucas Bergvall is much better than Limpar and Kulusevski were at that age,” he told football.london. “They are very good but I think Lucas in the future can be very, very good.
“He is a hard-working player but a very good technician. When we were in the youth tournaments against clubs like Bayern and Barcelona, he was always named the best player in the competition.
“Now Tottenham must take care of him. He will play with the seniors straight away and they must give him a chance. You must take care of the boy. He can be a top, top player in Europe.”
So how will the youngster adapt to the rigours and attention that the Premier League will thrust upon him?
“He is good up here (points to his head). Don’t worry about that. They must give him a chance,” said the experienced Swede. “With the ball he will adapt very quickly. He’s also very good with his head. He scores goals with his head. He’s quite tall. Both he and Dejan are very good players, but Lucas is better at this age.”
Now Tottenham fans will get to see exactly what Lucas Bergvall is all about in the months ahead.
Tottenham are actively pursuing attacking talents across Europe as they prepare for potential summer signings.
Spurs recently made an inquiry regarding the availability of Real Madrid’s dynamic midfielder, Brahim Diaz. However, their approach was swiftly turned down by the Spanish club.
According to FootMercato’s Hanif Ben Berkane, Real Madrid are determined to keep Diaz, who has become a crucial part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Despite Tottenham’s persistence and similar interest from Roma, both clubs were met with a firm rejection from Los Blancos.
Diaz rejoined Real Madrid in June 2023 after a successful three-season loan at AC Milan and subsequently signed a contract extension until 2027.
During the last season, the 24-year-old emerged as a valuable player for Carlo Ancelotti, scoring key goals and contributing to their La Liga and Champions League successes.
In 44 appearances, where he started 22 games, Diaz netted 12 goals and provided 9 assists, showcasing his significant impact on the field.
Despite this initial setback, the Lilywhites remain committed to bolstering their squad and will continue to pursue other potential targets in the transfer market.
Real Madrid’s will to retain Diaz is understandable given his impressive performances. His knack for delivering in critical moments has established him as an essential player for the club.
As Spurs looks to strengthen their team, their proactive approach in the transfer market underlines their ambition to compete at the highest level.
Ange Postecoglou delivers stunning rant in ITV studio after Euro 2024 VAR controversy
Ange Postecoglou was furious with the decision
Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou blasted VAR after watching Germany defeat Denmark at Euro 2024.
The hosts progressed into the last eight after a chaotic night in Dortmund to book a clash against either Spain or Georgia.
Referee Michael Oliver was forced to suspend proceedings during the first-half due to a lightning storm and a number of controversial VAR calls caused a stir on social media.
Germany thought they had took the lead after just four minutes but Joshua Kimmich was adjudged to have fouled in the build-up before Denmark had a goal ruled out for the tightest of offside decisions.
The main talking point came in the second-half when Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen was penalised for a handball and Kai Havertz slotted the resulting penalty to give Germany the lead.
Bayern Munich man Jamal Musiala added the second goal of the game to seal the win but fans and the ex-players in the ITV studio were furious at the earlier decision which was not awarded on-field by Oliver. After a VAR check on the monitor, the spot kick was given.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright said those sort of decisions ‘would never sit right with him’ before Postecoglou sounded off on the use of VAR in the modern game.
When questioned about the English referees at the tournament, the Tottenham boss said: “That’s the issue. Michael Oliver is not making this decision. That’s been my issue all along.
“He saw the action, he deemed it wasn’t necessary to be a penalty. That’s my problem.
When questioned about the English referees at the tournament, the Tottenham boss said: “That’s the issue. Michael Oliver is not making this decision. That’s been my issue all along.
“He saw the action, he deemed it wasn’t necessary to be a penalty. That’s my problem.
If I hear one more person say, they’re [VAR] not re-refereeing the game, I will blow up.
“Seriously, that is exactly what they do.”
He continued: “That is not why we brought in technology, for that decision, that decision to me is quite an easy one
If that wasn’t paid [given], we wouldn’t be talking about it tomorrow.
“This is not on Michael Oliver. We’re criticising the technology which it what I’ve criticised consistently. I fully back the referee.
If he didn’t pay that [give that], if he did pay that, we’d say ‘okay’. Technology is supposed to be definitive.”
ITV commentator Ally McCoist held his hands up live on air during Germany’s win against Denmark at Euro 2024.
The hosts booked their place in the last eight of the European Championship during a chaotic night in Dortmund.
Denmark seemed to have gained a foothold in the first-half before the game was suspended in unprecedented circumstances due to adverse weather.
Lighting strikes lit up the German sky as both teams were ordered off the field and into the dressing rooms. After a short delay, play resumed and Germany ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala in the second 45 minutes.
Earlier in the game, Germany thought they had taken the lead through Nico Schlotterbeck but referee Michael Oliver ruled the goal out as Joshua Kimmich was penalised for a foul when the corner was whipped in.
McCoist was incensed the goal was ruled out but after further reviewing the footage during the break in-play, he admitted he was wrong the question the English referee.
Speaking on the ITV broadcast when the game resumed, McCoist said: “The first thing I have got to do is probably apologise to Michael Oliver.
“It was a block and it was a free kick and I got carried away.
“I wanted a goal, but he got it right.”
It was the last time McCoist shared the commentary box with legendary partner Clive Tyldesley after it was confirmed ITV had axed the 69-year-old after 28 years of service which has left football fans furious.
Ally McCoist apologised to Michael Oliver (Getty)
Tyldesley admitted the decision to leave ITV was not his decision and believes he is still at a level to perform on the highest stage.
He told The Daily Mail: “It’s a strange situation because I am not retiring and have no intention of doing so. This is not my decision – it’s theirs. If they want to highlight the fact that I have been with them a long time that’s also their decision.
“I’m not going to object to it but at same time it’s a little unusual when it’s their decision to move me on.
“I don’t want to sound sanctimonious because we don’t save lives, we just shout names out. But this is the only job I ever wanted to do and so I take it very seriously. Part of that is to review and ensure I’m maintaining the standards set by my late mentor Reg Gutteridge.
“I think I am still at a level where I can commentate as well as I ever did. I am conscious that that won’t last forever. For personal pride and vanity I don’t want my levels to slip. If and when that happens I hope I’ll be first to see it and react accordingly but I think I can still do it.
I don’t wasn’t to use the word frustration, because I’m not particularly frustrated but this was not my decision.”
In the 34th minute of Saturday’s game at the Signal Iduna in Dortmund, both sets of players were ordered to leave the pitch by referee Michael Oliver.
As you can see in the footage below, a huge bolt of lightning can be seen over the stadium as players and staff
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