The Welsh wizard who put Tottenham in the spotlight

Before Gareth Bale’s rise to top-level football, Tottenham Hotspur was considered an average side in the English Premier League. But under the leadership of this “Welsh wizard” – as he is nicknamed – the London club has, over the past four seasons, firmly established itself among the elite, recording two fourth-place and two fifth-place finishes. Bale also successfully led the team in European competitions, shining especially two years ago when Tottenham reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The 24-year-old Cardiff native was named to the Premier League’s Team of the Season three years in a row. Twice in succession, he won the Players’ Player of the Year award in the vote of his fellow professionals. “He’s an outstanding player, capable of deciding matches, and is famous for his blistering runs – which usually end in goals. Besides scoring, he can also create excellent chances for his teammates,” football agent Jozef Tokos told the Economic Daily.

His exceptional productivity last season speaks for itself: in the Premier League, Bale scored 21 goals – the most among midfielders – and added 16 assists. He is highly valued for the massive influence his performances have on Tottenham’s results. “Without him, it’s unlikely this club would have played in the Champions League or been among the top sides in England,” Tokos observed.

Bale signed his first professional contract in 2006 at the age of 16, becoming the second-youngest player in Southampton’s history. But he stayed there only one year – his talent in his debut season caught the eye of a wealthier and more successful London side, Tottenham Hotspur, who paid £5 million for the then-17-year-old. Bale has now spent six successful seasons with Tottenham, and in the last two, his performances have far outgrown the club’s stature. That is why he has long been the target of both English and European giants.