Defoe fired by Tottenham ambition

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe wants to kick-start a trophy spree under Harry Redknapp, and insists the ambition of the club provided him with the motivation to return.

Defoe was unveiled yesterday at White Hart Lane just under a year after he left for Portsmouth, and sealing a five-and-a-half-season contract to come back will increase his wages. The 26-year-old, however, cites the reaction of fans, Redknapp and the prospect of the first trophy of his career as his main reasons for moving.

"Sometimes in life you've got to look at the bigger picture," Defoe said. "I'm sure the manager will now bring in one or two new faces to strengthen the squad. Next season, hopefully, we'll have a fantastic year." Defoe joins a Spurs side 16th in the Premier League and is set for his second debut tomorrow at Wigan. He heads straight into a relegation dogfight whereas Aston Villa, who were thought to be interested in him, are challenging for a Champions League place.

"Aston Villa are a great club with a fantastic manager," Defoe said. "I was chuffed to be linked with a club like that but I knew where I wanted to come. I know what the club's about – new stadium, new training ground, and I saw myself being a part of that. If you look at the squad there are some fantastic players, a lot of internationals and it's just unfortunate that we're in this situation, but the League's really tight. There are a lot of good teams fighting to push up the table."

Defoe also has the chance to play in a final at Wembley. Last season he left Spurs before they won the Carling Cup then was cup-tied for the FA Cup triumph with Portsmouth. "I truly believe that for some reason I wasn't meant to play in the finals last year and hopefully I can do that this time round," said Defoe. "From when you're a little kid you play football to win things and to win trophies and I believe I can definitely do that here."

He can play in the semi-final second leg against Burnley where Redknapp's men protect a 4-1 lead. Redknapp has hinted at using Defoe in attack with Roman Pavlyuchenko. "I've trained with him for the first time," Defoe said. "I watched him in the Euros with Russia and I'm a great admirer – a fantastic player, good finisher and he's clever. I'm really looking forward to teaming up with him and Darren Bent as well."