Following his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, James Maddison has given a first interview detailing his excitement about the move.
Maddison joins a Spurs side that finished eighth in the Premier League in 2022/23, but believes they will have a strong chance of improving on that position this season under new head coach Ange Postecoglou.
"I spoke to the manager, spoke to Daniel [Levy, the chairman] and they both spoke very highly of everything about the club," he said on the club's official website.
"Speaking to the manager was very important, how he’s going to be, with that little bit of the unknown.
"To have a decent chat with him and to get his thoughts on things, how he sees Spurs going this season... he said one thing to me on the call, I hope he won’t mind me saying this. He said, 'Whether you come or not, you’re going to see a completely different Spurs team under me'. And that kind of stuck with me that he said that.
"It made me think 'That's the self-belief that I have in myself'.
“I can't wait to show the Tottenham supporters the best version of myself.” 🤍 pic.twitter.com/wbp70BbjZj
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 29, 2023
"Things like that are so important, building a good relationship with him, with Daniel. Speaking to other players, obviously I know a lot of them anyway, and playing against them for so many years, I feel like I have such a good understanding with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and now I’m part of it, and I have this lovely white shirt on, I’m ready to go.
"I’m absolutely thrilled. That feeling of being a Spurs player now is something I’m very excited about.
"It feels really good, even putting on the white shirt, the iconic Tottenham shirt, having a look in the mirror... it feels really good. Myself, my agent, my family are all really happy with my decision. As I keep saying, I can’t wait to get going."
Maddison follows in the footsteps of former Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen, and he has revealed the Dane inspired him during the early stages of his career.
"Christian was one of my favourite players growing up, when I was in the lower leagues," Maddison added.
"Especially when he was in hot form with Tottenham, the iconic No 23, Eriksen, was just [someone] that produced quality moments for this football club, and to swap shirts with a player like that, of that ilk was very special to me."