Tottenham and Belgium midfielder Mousa Dembele has joined Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F, the Premier League club have confirmed.
Dembele was rumoured to be leaving north London in the months building up to the January transfer window, and he has finally completed his switch to the team who finished 10th in the 2018 CSL season.
A Tottenham statement read: “We have reached agreement with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F for the transfer of Mousa Dembele, subject to international clearance.”
Dembele leaves Spurs six-and-a-half years after joining from Fulham, having made 250 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Lilywhites.
The 31-year-old, who played in Belgium and the Netherlands before moving to English football, moved to Spurs when they triggered the £15million release clause in his Fulham contract in August 2012.
He scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw with Norwich, and ended his first season with 44 appearances to his name for the Lilywhites.
Over the next few years Dembele established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League, and perhaps the most unusual and individual player ever to grace England’s top flight.
Though not blessed with good numbers in terms of goals and assists, Dembele’s ability to win possession back and carry the ball in the transition phase made him a vital part of Tottenham’s growth into one of the top teams in England. He was also a fine passer and strong enough in the tackle to match even the most physical of players.
Dembele’s influence waned over the past couple of years due to consistent injury problems, though he continued to show his show his true potential on the occasional matchday when fully fit.
He was granted a transfer to China so as to extend his career playing in a much less physical division.
Dembele said in an interview posted on Tottenham’s Twitter account: “I’ve always had a good experience here.
“I go away with an unbelievable feeling and with a certain love for the club. The club is part of my family now.”
Capped 82 times by Belgium since debuting in 2006, Dembele was part of the Red Devils’ squad that beat England to finish third at last summer’s World Cup.