Ange Postecoglou hails Lucas Bergvall after signing new contract

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has paid tribute to Lucas Bergvall after the Swede signed a new six-year deal at the club.

Bergvall was initially on the fringes of the team after his summer transfer from Djurgarden, but Tottenham's injury crisis forced Postecoglou to throw the teenager into the deep end in December and he's been a regular member of the starting XI ever since.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before Tottenham's Europa League semi-final with Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou said: "I'm delighted for Lucas. It's reward for his development this year, his performances and how well he's adapted.

"A lot of young guys who come to the Premier League maybe have a step in between but he's come straight from the Swedish league with a year of senior football into the Premier League."

After putting pen to paper on his new contract, Bergvall said: "I'm really excited and grateful to everyone who helped me and for the journey to continue.

"It's a club with great ambition and I'm really enjoying being here and to play for this amazing football club.

"I worked really hard for this with my team mates and the staff, I've developed a lot this season."

After his initial bedding-in period, Bergvall has become a key part of Postecoglou's plans, and while the 19-year-old credits his colleagues for his progression, his manager believes he's

"It's a credit to him, he's worked really hard on his game. At the beginning he was really struggling to cope with the intensity and tempo as you'd expect and as we expected.

"A lot of our football and life in general is opportunity and he had an opportunity this year because of the situation we were in and he grabbed it with both hands.

"Even now, we've got a full squad to choose from and he's still being selected."

Liam Williams

• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• Premier League
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