The Belgian veteran defender Jan Vertonghen found a new club after his contract with Tottenham Hotspur expired this summer. The Portuguese side Benfica announced on Friday that they’ve signed Vertonghen to a three-year deal.
Since announcing his decision to leave Tottenham, Vertonghen was linked with several high-profile clubs from England, including Manchester City, while there were rumors he could return to his boyhood club Ajax. However, it appears that Benfica made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
The club confirmed the news on social media.
Vertonghen joins an exciting Benfica project which aims to challenge the Porto’s dominance in Primeira Liga after finishing the 2019/20 on second place. The club already brought back former head coach Jorge Jesus, who previously won three domestic titles while at the helm. They made several high-profile additions in the player department as well, signing talented Brazilian forward Everton and being close to landing Uruguay star Edinson Cavani.
Jan Vertonghen joined Tottenham in 2012 for around $15 million. Since then, he became indispensable in the team’s back four, being capable of covering both the central positions as well as the left-back spot. Vertonghen made a total of 315 appearances with the London club and was part of the side that reached UEFA Champions League finals in 2018/19.
