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Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen has signed with Tottenham Hotspur

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Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen has signed with Tottenham Hotspur

3News NZ

Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, left

Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, left

Twitter was alive with speculation that All Whites; Ryan Nelsen has transferred from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham Hotspur, and now 3 News Sports can confirm he has reached an agreement with the club.

Lyle Yorks, Nelsen's Washington-based agent, confirmed the move today.

"We settled with Blackburn and have reached agreement with Spurs," Yorks told the Washington Post. "We're just awaiting clearance. It's for six months, with a one-year option. It all unfolded quickly."

In essence, it seems both the Blackburn and Spurs sides of the deals have been dealt with and all that's left is Premier League official channels to approve the move.

The Daily Mail reported that Nelsen's contract with Rovers had been cancelled, which made him a free agent and able to sign with Spurs.

"Harry Redknapp has always been a big fan of Ryan. When the opportunity came up, it really played itself out today before the transfer deadline hit," says Yorks.

The Kiwi defender was one of many last minute transfer speculations before the closing of the January transfer window, with rumours flying left and right as English Premier league teams did their last minute shopping. Although it appears that because Nelsen is a free agent his transfer can take due course rather than within the window's deadline. It's likely the move will be officially announced overnight, NZ time.

Spurs’ manager Harry Redknapp held a press conference prior to the news breaking.

Before the unofficial Twitter confirmations came through, Redknapp made strong comment that he was chasing the 34-year-old.

"We just need to see whether I can take another central defender because I've got William Gallas out long-term through injury," he said.

"I'm hoping to sign Ryan Nelsen on a free until the end of the season. I think he's a great competitor and a good sort to have at your club.

Always liked him."

Redknapp is likely looking to be suring up for the remainder of the season, with the smart word that Spurs have also signed Louis Saha - meaning Redknapp would have acquired an experienced striker and defender.

The move looked even more likely after Spurs loaned central defender Sebastien Bassong to Wolves opening up a spot in the defence for Nelsen.

Nelsen had been at Blackburn Rovers since the 2005 season having played 172 games for the Lancashire based club. He has played one game for the club this season, sidelined with a knee injury. The Club currently sits within the Premier League relegation zone.

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Comments

1/02/2012 11:17:26 p.m.

Chris wrote:

Just re-read the article and seen the reference to him cancelling his contract at Blackburn. Seems sneaky, but that makes sense

1/02/2012 11:12:39 p.m.

Chris wrote:

How do you figure that a player signed from another club, at which he had a contract running until January 2013, is a free agent and can be signed outside the window? A free agent is just that - a player not contracted to a club. The reason the transfer can go ahead after the window shutting will be that the papers were filed before the deadline, but haven't been approved - this will most likely happen overnight. More importantly - pretty disappointed in Ryan going to the Spuds, but it is probably a good move for his career.

1/02/2012 9:49:03 p.m.

eddio wrote:

I very much doubt that, oh namesake? As both parties agreed to cancel Ryan's contract, Venkys' will most likely have included a 'gagging agreement' as part of the deal? Perhaps we now know who the mystery 'senior representative at Ewood Park' really was? Ryan has not been seen since this incident? The soap-opera of the season continues to keep us all amazed and aghast at the demise of our once-proud club!

1/02/2012 12:32:49 p.m.

Eddie wrote:

Good, hopefully now we might hear some inside revalations of the goings on within Ewood. All the best Ryan, can't blame you for jumping ship!