Teemu's delight at Spurs Finland honour

Teemu Tainio jumped at the chance to become Spurs Finland's first honorary member.

In the week that we announced a friendly aginst Celtic in Helskinki, members of our Official Supporters Club in Finland met with the popular midfielder at his Helsinki-based club, HJK.

Ville Miettinen, chairperson of Spurs Finland, explained: “It’s been our long-term goal to get Teemu to be an honorary member, and we’re really glad it happened.

“I don’t think there could be a better person to be the first honorary member than a Finnish player who has won a trophy with Spurs - and one who actually supports the club!

“We currently have around 150 members - now plus one honorary member - and I think there will be a significant rise before the friendly against Celtic.”

Teemu helped us lift the League Cup against Chelsea in 2008, the highlight of his three-year stay at the club after signing from Auxerre in 2005.

Capped 60 times by Finland, Teemu made 83 appearances before moving to Sunderland in 2008. He also played for Birmingham City, Ajax and New York Red Bulls in the MLS before returning home to HJK.

“It was perfect, especially being a life-long Spurs fan, it was really nice to be recognised in this way,” said Teemu.

“There are a not a lot of Finnish players who have been able to play for the team they’ve supported all their life, so it was a real honour for me.”

Teemu was back at the Lane this week, turning out for Ledley’s Guest XI in Ledley King’s Testimonial.

“It was a fantastic night for Ledley and he fully deserved it,” he added. “I was so happy to come back to Spurs and be part of such a big occasion - and for the fans to still recognise me!”

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