Vlad relishing first Stateside trip

As he prepares to set foot in the USA for the first time, Vlad Chiriches has emphasised the importance of our summer tour in the build-up to the new Premier League campaign.

We jet off to the States and Canada next week to play warm-up matches against three MLS teams as part of our preparations for the 2014-15 season.

Vlad, currently back in training at Hotspur Way ahead of the tour, says our matches against Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC and Chicago Fire during the trip will be valuable exercises as we work towards what he’s determined will be a “great season.”

“I’m really looking forward to going out there,” said our Romanian international defender. “The tour will be a great experience for us – and also for me personally because it will be my first time in the USA. I’ve never played against an MLS team or even been on holiday there, so this will be my first time and it should be a great trip.

“The players are all working hard at the moment and we’re looking forward to the season – I hope it will be a great one.”

The second match of our tour sees us take on a Toronto side that includes Vlad’s former Spurs team-mate Jermain Defoe.

As a central defender, Vlad is ready to lock horns with striker Jermain – although he knows the chance to greet his former colleague after the game is likely to be one of the only social elements of what he expects to be a strenuous period across the Atlantic.

“JD is a great guy it’s going to be great to play against him,” added Vlad, whose last outing was for Romania in their pre-World Cup friendly against Algeria on June 4.

“It’s going to be hard work though. We’ll be training, not relaxing. We need to prove that we are ready for the Premier League season.”