The promising full-back admitted that there were doubts over his move to Europe but said he feels ready to pit himself against some of the top players in the game
DeAndre Yedlin has described his move to Tottenham as a ‘dream’ and admits that he still pinching himself at the prospect of playing Premier League football.
The 21-year-old finally completed his move to White Hart Lane, signing a four-year deal after completing his medical last week.
The right-back starred for the USA at the World Cup in Brazil and admitted that, despite receiving rave reviews after the tournament, he didn’t expect to be landing a career-changing move so soon.
“I always hoped and dreamed that this would happen, but I never expected it to happen this soon,” Yedlin told Goal, referring to the rapid rise that has seen him go from college player to pro to World Cup player to multi-million dollar transfer signing in less than two years.
“It’s all been kind of crazy and there’s never really been time to look back. It’s one of those things you just have to take whatever comes at you and move on to the next thing.
“The Premier League is one of the top leagues in the world and I’m a guy that likes to challenge myself, so just to be able to practice against those types of players and play against them every weekend is a dream come true.
Yedlin revealed that a move to Spurs wasn’t always on the cards and that, when he first arrived home from Brazil, the idea of starting afresh in Europe took some getting used to.
But as the number of suitors on the other side of the Atlantic grew, the right-back began to warm to the idea of branching out of North America.
“Did I have any doubts when I first came back (from the World Cup)? I think when I first came back because where I am right now is back home, so I’m comfortable.
“But I think it’s a good time to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself on a different scale and that’s what I’m looking to do at Tottenham.”
The 21-year-old will stay with the Seattle Sounders until the end of their current season, and Yedlin said he is concentrating on just one thing at the moment – leaving on a high by helping his side lift the MLS Cup.
“Obviously any time you hear a team of that calibre is interested you’re going to be excited. When it got more realistic you definitely have to think about things,” he said.
“It’s a big move, but I feel like I’m ready for it.
“But it won’t change my focus for Seattle for the rest of the season. My main goal right now is still to win the MLS Cup.”
Yedlin had plenty of advice and experience to call upon in Seattle when making his decision with team-mates such as Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey having spent a good chunk of their careers in England.
“He [Dempsey] told me it’s a whole different world over there. Mentally you have to be tougher than you have to be here so I’m preparing for that,” Yedlin said.
“It’s a fight everyday. Just the whole feel of it is a bit more intense and serious so I have to be ready for that.”