Tottenham Hotspur have triggered an extension clause in veteran Belgian international Toby Alderweireld’s contract which ties him to the Premier League highflyers until the summer of 2020. The 29-year-old central defender — capped 88 times and an integral part of Belgium’s best ever performance at the World Cup last year where they finished third — has a £25-million ($31.7m) release clause should a suitor come in for him.
“The club can confirm that we have activated the option to extend Toby Alderweireld’s contract until 2020. The Belgium international defender has made 135 appearances for us to date since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2015,” Tottenham said in a statement on their website.
Alderweireld, who attracted interest from Manchester United in the close season after he rejected a long-term deal, has been the rock at the heart of the defence this term. He has enjoyed a good run in the first team — making 26 appearances — as both compatriot Jan Vertonghen and Colombian Davinson Sanchez have been affected by injuries.
During his first season at Tottenham, Alderweireld has been recognised by commentators as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, forming impressive central defensive partnerships with national team colleague Jan Vertonghen, and later the Austrian Kevin Wimmer. This form helped Tottenham to achieve the best defensive record in the Premier League, with only 25 goals conceded from 34 games. Over the season the club had the joint-lowest number of goals conceded in the Premier League. He was chosen as a centre back for the PFA Team of the Year.