Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov has admitted he had not heard of the club before signing in 2006.
The Bulgarian joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen and quickly became a hero at the club, scoring the equaliser in their 2-1 League Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2008.
However, the striker has now revealed that he had no idea who of Tottenham were before he joined them, though quickly grew to love the club after his spell at White Hart Lane.
“My agent said we’d had a serious offer from Tottenham,” Berbatov told ESPN FC.
“I said: ‘Who?’ I was watching German football, not English.
“There were rumours of Man United’s interest too. I’d definitely heard of United, but they told me I was effectively a second choice if another player didn’t happen.
“So I took the offer to move to London, which I loved, and play for Spurs, who I grew to love.”
After scoring 46 goals in 102 games for Spurs, Berbatov got his ideal move to Manchester United in 2008, where he won the Premier League three times including in his first season.
Despite winning the League Cup with Tottenham, Berbatov explained that his move to United was because he wanted to win trophies with the “biggest club” in England.
He added: “When you follow your own path, you have to make decisions like this. I wanted to win trophies and play for the biggest club and the biggest club in England is Manchester United.
“You can stay here in your comfort zone or make the next step in your career.’ It was not a difficult decision; Manchester United were the English and European champions, they had the best players, they had Sir Alex Ferguson and Old Trafford. How could I not be seduced?
“When I signed for United, I felt like it was a reward for everything that I’d been through in my life.”
In joining up with Sir Alex, Berbatov turned down a move to United’s rivals Manchester City, despite the newly-wealthy Citizens offering more money.
“When United wanted me I was like a horse with blinkers on,” Berbatov said.
“I was not interested in anyone else. City offered more money but the team was weaker and their history couldn’t compete with United.”
Berbatov went on to play for Fulham, Monaco and PAOK before joining current club Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.
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