Matt Doherty has admitted that his permanent move from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid caught him unaware as the north London club suddenly realised a loan move was not possible.
The Irishman was all set to move on loan to the Madrid side until the end of the season in January only for Spurs to realise that a newly-changed UEFA rule meant they had already reached the limit on loan moves to clubs during that campaign. That meant that at the last moment Doherty had to have his contract cancelled with Tottenham and he signed a short-term permanent deal with Atletico until the end of the season.
football.london reported at the time that Doherty's Spurs team-mates were left shocked by the sudden change in the deal and in a new interview the 31-year-old has admitted that it was a frantic final day of that January transfer window for him as he left Antonio Conte's squad.
READ MORE: The inside story as Daniel Levy faces major decision to call time on Antonio Conte Tottenham era
"It’s going well for me in Spain. It’s a different experience completely, different culture, different preparation for games. I’m enjoying my time there even though I’m not playing that much," he told the Independent.
"The reason I left was… well, initially it was just to go on loan for the rest of the season and then obviously we had the problems with too many loans, so then it was a case of I couldn’t really say no to that type of experience and a manager of his calibre."
He added: "I didn’t have long to think about it, but the time I did have, I just couldn’t say no to that opportunity.
"I am there until the end of the season and I am just using it as a learning experience. I am improving by training with world-class players every day. I am using the six months I have there to try and get better, to try and understand the game better and improve my overall game."
READ NEXT:
- The truths and flaws in Antonio Conte's explosive Tottenham tirade and Daniel Levy's decision
- Every word of Antonio Conte's remarkable and furious press conference about Tottenham
- Dazzling Djed Spence praised, Tanguy Ndombele scores, Destiny Udogie wins award and happy Winks
- Antonio Conte's awkward Tottenham return and Daniel Levy's familiar decision
- The £10bn businessman spotted speaking to Daniel Levy and issue with Harry Kane Tottenham exit
