Tottenham record signing explains why he had to leave the club and 'prove' a point after contract termination

Tanguy Ndombele has rediscovered his smile back home in France after agreeing to terminate the remaining period of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur, allowing him to return to Ligue 1.

Ndombele was signed by Mauricio Pochettino during what would turn out to be his final weeks as Spurs manager. The deal, a record fee at the time, was reported to be £53.4million but could rise to £62.8million as the club invested heavily in him to be the new face of their midfield.

He was hailed as the next big thing in French football but left this summer—five years after arriving—having managed only 10 goals in 91 appearances, including loan spells at Napoli and Galatasaray. Spurs agreed to terminate his contract when there was still a year left, and he has now found a home at OGC Nice, where he is enjoying his football once. He has scored twice in six league matches and was one of the standout players as his side held PSG to a 1-1 draw at the weekend.

Speaking about his form and new life in France, the 27-year-old said he has a point to prove and is delighted to be playing consistently again. He told Footmercato: "I'm at a point in my career where I need to play. I have things to prove, and beyond playing well, I want to find certain sensations."

The chairman of OGC Nice expressed the club's satisfaction with Ndombele, noting that he is the kind of player who thrives on love and affection. Jean-Pierre Rivière stated, "He is someone who needs, and he is not the only one, a climate of trust, and that is what we are trying to provide for him. But beyond the atmosphere around the club, it is first Tanguy who ensures that everything goes well."

Despite enduring a difficult time in north London, Ndombele won league titles in both Italy and Turkey after playing on loan for Napoli in the 2022-23 campaign before moving to Galatasaray last season. He last played for Tottenham in an FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe on January 9, 2022.