Andrew Robertson's first words after joining Tottenham were less about the mechanics of the move and more about why it made sense to him. He arrived on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired at the end of last campaign, after nine years at Anfield. Tottenham had already shown interest in January before the deal was completed on a Bosman transfer.

The pull of the project and the manager

Robertson was blunt about why he bought into it. “It’s a really big club and a club that’s going places,” he said, while also adding that “the manager is a huge pull.” He said he had spoken to Roberto De Zerbi, with the phone call and the way Spurs want to play helping sell the move.

That is the main thread here. Robertson is not talking up the transfer as a lifestyle change or a late-career detour. He is describing a club he believes is moving in the right direction and a coach he wanted to work under.

He also framed the timing as important. “I’m excited to be here… I was very fortunate, I’ve not had to do it for so long. Being at one club for nine years is a long time. But it’s also exciting,” he said.

Spurs' need for a reset

Robertson's arrival also lands at a useful moment for Spurs. They finished 17th in the Premier League with 41 points, 10 wins and a goal difference of -9. That is the backdrop to his warning that the club cannot afford another poor league run.

He will wear No3, which is a small detail, but it gives the move a clear starting point for supporters who want the new signing to feel settled quickly. His senior experience is not in doubt either. Robertson made 31 Premier League appearances last season, which fits the picture of a player still in the frame before the switch.

The one point worth keeping in view is the scale of the move itself. Nine years at one club is a long stretch in the modern game, and Robertson has not hidden that. He said the challenge now is to help Spurs back up the idea that they are a club “going places” with performances that match it.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →