Carrick's delight

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Michael Carrick declared himself very excited by the first transfer of his career following the completion of his switch from West Ham.

The midfielder underwent a medical on Monday evening and was in early at Spurs Lodge ahead of training with his new teammates this afternoon.

The move represents no real upheaval for the 23-year-old who points out that, having been in the area since coming through the ranks at West Ham, he is well aware of the local football culture.

"I feel excited, it is the first move I have made in my career and it is a big thing for me. I am looking forward to getting started now and I'm raring to go," said Michael this morning.

"I am delighted that all the speculation is over now and I can get on with the future.

"I have lived in the area for a long time now and I know how much the club means to the fans, it is similar to West Ham with them being so passionate in their love for football.

"They are desperate for success and, with the squad that Frank and the gaffer are assembling now, it is very promising. We should be confident in the future that we can be very successful."

Michael added that his desire to improve himself as a player encouraged him to join Jacques Santini's re-shaped squad.

"It is a different culture to what I have worked with before. The Head Coach is foreign and might have different training methods, it will be a good challenge for me as I want to improve and, hopefully, coming to a different club will give me that.

"I am confident that I can play a lot of games for Tottenham and get back in the England squad - which is a big aim for the future."

Michael now hopes to emulate likes of Ledley King, Jermain Defoe and Paul Robinson in making their mark in the England squad and he says such players thriving here was another element in his decision to join.

"It was a massive factor and Sean Davis has been in and around the England squad as well. I know Sean from the under-21s, know how good he is and that was another factor for me.

"As I've said before, the squad is promising and looks good for the future - the lads mentioned will be a massive part of it."