Soldado: After Spurs my goal was just to be happy

Mark Holmes
Roberto Soldado: Unsuccessful two years at Tottenham

Roberto Soldado: Unsuccessful two years at Tottenham

Roberto Soldado says his goal after leaving Tottenham was simply to be happy again after an unsuccessful two-year spell at White Hart Lane.

Soldado joined Spurs from Valencia in a £26million deal in the summer of 2013 but, after a positive start, finished his first season in north London with only two goals from open play in the Premier League.

The Spaniard says his struggles began following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas midway through that first camapign.

He told the Daily Mirror: “I went (to London) with enthusiasm and excitement, it was a challenge for me, thinking that the Premier was perfect football for me, but it was quite the opposite.

“Since the dismissal of Villas Boas, who was the one that wanted me, everything went upside down. I lost confidence and had a hard time.

“But I think that experience made me appreciate and enjoy more what I’m living.”

Soldado sealed a return to Spain with Villarreal earlier this summer, departing Spurs with a record of only 16 goals in 76 appearances.

His new club are top of La Liga after seven games, with Soldado so far scoring twice, but the 30-year-old says the priority for him after leaving London was to be happy again.

He added: “It’s vital to be happy in what you do, there’s no doubt. In the end, more than economic or sport reasons, it’s key that you enjoy what you do.

“The most important thing for me was to enjoy things again, because after the two years I spent in England it was my goal to be happy again day to day.

“We have just started, but I cannot deny that I’m enjoying it a lot and I want to come to training every day.”