Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz has embarrassed Fulham by saying he wanted to join Spurs instead - and admitting he only went to Craven Cottage for the money.
The £10.6m Costa Rica international's ill-advised claims come days after he completed his first full 90 minutes for the Premier League side in Monday's win over Liverpool, for which he was praised by manager Martin Jol.
Ruiz told Dutch magazine Voetbal International: "I did not want Fulham. Previously Tottenham interested. This is a club that you say 'yes' to. But it was never real.
"On August 30 Fulham arrived in the bidding. My manager called and said there was an agreement between the clubs and that we were going to London. I hesitated again, but he convinced me.
"Attractive financial terms and a conversation with Martin Jol won me over."
Ruiz, subbed during a poor debut against Blackburn, has fought his way back into Fulham's first team of late and after the Liverpool victory Jol beamed: "Bryan's a quality player. It's a different style he used to play in Holland. He's got more time, he's got vision, he wants to play the killer ball and I think it's the quality you need.
"We have to adapt to him and he has to adapt to English football. I started him against Arsenal and on the ball, he's good. He can make a difference."
Statement from Fulham FC
Following media reports today concerning interviews I gave in Holland last week about my move to Fulham Football Club, I wish to make it known to the Club's supporters that as soon as Fulham's interest was apparent to me in the summer, and despite very public interest from other clubs, I was only ever intent on joining FFC.
As I said on the day I signed, I was attracted by the Club's ambition and the opportunity to play under Martin Jol. Fulham felt far more personal to me than any of the other clubs I visited and there was no question of me joining any other Premier League team once I had spoken to Fulham's representatives.
The truth of the matter is I'm delighted to be at Fulham Football Club. I'm back in the Team, we're playing well and I feel like I'm showing my true form. We started the week brilliantly against Liverpool and I just want to focus on helping the Team against Swansea on Saturday. I am indebted to the Chairman and Martin Jol for bringing me here and I want to thank the Fulham fans for the warm reception and affection they always show towards me.