Paulo Gazzaniga leaves Tottenham to join Elche on loan

Tottenham have announced that out-of-favour keeper Paulo Gazzaniga has joined Elche on loan until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old completed a last minute deadline day switch and will join the La Liga relegation strugglers until the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign.

Gazzaniga was a favourite of former boss Mauricio Pochettino but has found himself out of the picture since Jose Mourinho's arrival as head coach. Captain Hugo Lloris has retained the starting gloves, while Joe Hart has been Mourinho's go-to number two after joining the club on a free transfer last summer.

The Argentine keeper hasn't made a single appearance this season, and the club have now confirmed he will head to Spain in order to play regular football between now and May.

In total, Gazzaniga has made 37 appearances for Tottenham after following Pochettino to the club from Southampton in 2017. He made his debut for the club against Crystal Palace in November 2017, helping Spurs pick up a narrow 1-0 win with a performance that had his manager saying he performed "fantastically well" considering it was his debut.

Sporadic appearances followed over the next couple of seasons, predominantly in the League Cup, before Gazzaniga was handed an extended run in the first team last season after Lloris dislocated his elbow at Brighton.

Gazzaniga took over goalkeeping duties from Hugo Lloris during 2019/20 because of injury | Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images

He made 18 Premier League appearances, largely performing well as Spurs attempted to overcome a sluggish start - that ended up costing Pochettino his job as manager - and compete for European qualification.

Lloris regained his place in the latter stages of the season, but Gazzaniga's contribution helped Spurs secure a Europa League berth on the final day. It's unknown at this stage whether or not he has a long-term future in north London, but his continued exclusion from squads this season would indicate his time may be coming to an end.


Source : 90min