Tottenham terminate defender’s contract to avoid late deadline day transfer collapse | OneFootball

Tottenham terminate Matt Doherty’s contract to force Atletico Madrid move

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed officially that they have reached an agreement to mutually terminate the contract of defender Matt Doherty, with the Republic of Ireland international securing a move to Atletico Madrid.

It was initially assumed that the 31-year-old defender would be loaned out to the Spanish club. However, the North London club have chosen to terminate his contract and allow the player to leave for a free transfer.

Doherty’s time at Tottenham can be put down as disappointing at best. He joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers and the expectations of him were not sky-high. However, the Irishman did not really convince.

Injuries and poor form have been perennial issues for Doherty during his time at the club. There have been some excellent performances but they have been few and far and not really been enough.

Tottenham have after a long-drawn saga managed to secure the signing of Pedro Porro. The 23-year-old is a world-class talent and his arrival at N17 is undoubtedly going to mean lesser game time for the existing options.

Djed Spence has thus left the club on loan and Doherty is on his way out as well. This leaves Porro and Emerson Royal as the two options left in that position and this might make life much easier for Antonio Conte.

Matt Doherty is now an Atletico Madrid player. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

After months of shuffling around his options for the right wing-back position, there could be a clear hierarchy established in this area with Porro being the first choice going forward and the Brazilian providing backup.

Doherty at 31, has done very well to secure a move to Atletico Madrid. It will not be easy for him to get back to his best levels but playing for the Spanish side might just give him a new lease of life.