New Real Madrid signing Gareth Bale has said the chance to sign for the club was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that he would have left Tottenham Hotspur even if they had qualified for the Champions League.
Bale, 24, completed a 91 million euro move to the Santiago Bernabeu last week, ending a summer of speculation.
The Welsh winger spent six years at White Hart Lane but only experienced Champions League football for one season. His side were pipped at the final post by rivals Arsenal last season for the fourth spot in the Premier League, creating doubt over Bale’s future at the club.
But speaking to BT Sport, Bale said he would have left the club even if they were in Europe’s premier competition.
He stated: “It’s once in a lifetime and I don’t think you can turn down a team like that. For me I want to be playing [in the] Champions League but also winning trophies.
“At a club like that [Madrid] they’re out to win every trophy they’re involved in. That’s exactly what I want to do.
“When Real Madrid comes in it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think if I didn’t take it I would probably regret it for the rest of my life.”
