Gareth Bale signs four-year deal with Tottenham

LONDON (AP) -- Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham, tying him to the London club until 2016.

The Wales winger, who joined Spurs in 2007, has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs after emerging as one of the Premier League's standout players over the last two years.

His future at Tottenham had also been in doubt after the team failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

However, Bale says "I love the club and the fans and I want to play my part in trying to get us back into the Champions League - where we belong."

Tottenham is currently without a manager after the departure of Harry Redknapp this month.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.