Toby Alderweireld – Player Profile
At 6 ft. 1, Toby Alderweireld is the big Belgian at the heart of the Spurs defence. Commanding his centre-back (CB) role with volition, Toby has proved to be an impressive addition to the Spurs squad since his move from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in July 2015.
Despite suffering a brief knee injury in October 2016, Alderweireld displayed his worth over the 2016-17 campaign, featuring in the Spurs line-up 39 times. He rounded off his spectacular campaign with a goal against Hull City on the last day of the season.
Toby began his career with Ajax in the Netherlands. During a very successful 9 years, accolades came thick and fast as he won one Dutch Cup and consecutively won 3 league titles with the prestigious Dutch club. Additionally, Alderweireld was officially awarded with the title of Ajax Talent of the Year in 2010.
After transferring to Atletico Madrid in 2013, Toby Alderweireld was an integral member of the squad that won the La Liga title and reached the final of the Champions League – all in his first year at the club. Following 22 appearances for the Spanish side and a 28-match loan spell with Southampton during the 2014-15 season, Toby landed at Spurs in 2015 for an estimated transfer fee of £11.5 million.
Forming a formidable central-defence partnership with national teammate Jan Vertonghen, Alderweireld experienced glistening success in his first season for Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur had the joint lowest goals-conceded record from this campaign, and Toby was named as CB in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year as a result.
Toby Alderweireld’s international presence is as impressive as his domestic influence; he has been a senior international player since 2009 and has earned 68 caps for Belgium, including a World Cup campaign.
