Adebayor released by Tottenham

The 31-year-old had joined Spursin 2011

LONDON: Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract with Tottenham Hotspur by mutual agreement, announced the Premier League club on Sunday.

The 31-year-old’s departure was anticipated as he was not included in Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad for this season or given a squad number.

“We can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement with Emmanuel Adebayor which will see him released from his contract with the club,” said Spurs in a statement on their website. “We wish Emmanuel well for the future.”

Formerly of Metz, Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid, Adebayor joined Spurs, initially on loan, in 2011, before signing on a permanent basis in August 2012.

He finished as Spurs’ top scorer in 2011-12 with 18 goals, but was told to train with the club’s youth team by manager Andre Villas-Boas in 2013.

Tim Sherwood’s appointment as Villas-Boas’s successor led to a brief upturn in Adebayor’s fortunes, but he faded from view under Mauricio Pochettino last season, making only 10 appearances.

“I was very clear with him. We had a conversation before the end of last season and I explained my idea,” said Pochettino on Friday.

“I think it is clear he is not in my mind or in the plans for the future of Tottenham anymore. It is not a problem for him or a problem for us. It was clear from the beginning, specifically three or four months ago, and it was his decision whether to stay or not.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th,  2015.

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