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Emmanuel Adebayor released from Tottenham contract by mutual consent

Emmanuel Adebayor making a rare appearance for Tottenham Hotspur
Emmanuel Adebayor making a rare appearance for Tottenham Hotspur

Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract with Tottenham by mutual agreement.

Adebayor had not been included in the club's 25-man Barclays Premier League squad for this season or given a squad number.

A statement on Spurs' official website on Sunday morning said: "We can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement with Emmanuel Adebayor which will see him released from his contract with the club.

"We wish Emmanuel well for the future."

Adebayor has not been involved in any of Tottenham's matches so far this term.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino left little doubt about the 31-year-old Togo forward’s future when he spoke at a press conference on Friday.

Pochettino confirmed he had held chats with the player since May to explain he would not play a role for Tottenham in the future.

"I was very clear with him, we had a conversation before the end of last season and I explained my idea," the Argentinian said on Friday."
 

He continued: "I think it is clear he is not in my mind or in the plans for the future of Tottenham.

"It is not a problem for him or a problem for us.

"It was clear from the beginning three or four months ago and it was his decision whether to stay or not.

"We are always available to help him, we have a good relationship.

"The only problem now is to find a solution for him and a solution for the club, something that is good for both sides."

Despite being told he would be allowed to find a new club and holding an hour-long chat with West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, it is understood Adebayor had refused to leave Tottenham unless they paid up the remainder of his contract - believed to be as much as €7million.

Pochettino also revealed on Friday Adebayor had been training with theUunder-21 squad after a self-imposed exile from the senior set-up.

Spurs take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the first of today’s English Premier League games, kick-off 1.30.

The second game, which starts at 4.0, sees Leicester host Aston Villa, who were also interested in signing Adebayor before the recent transfer window closed.

“He's too good a talent - I've seen that first hand - to not play any football,” said Villa boss Tim Sherwood, who worked with the Togo striker when in charge at White Hart lane.

“But unfortunately I don't think there's any window open for him now.”

The former Arsenal frontman had been on a Tottenham contract that ran until next summer.

He has been with Spurs for four years, initially signing on loan from Manchester City for the duration of the 2011-12 season.

He scored 18 goals in that campaign and made the switch permanent in the summer of 2012.

Last season - Pochettino's first in charge at Tottenham - Adebayor made only 17 appearances in all competitions, netting twice.

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