Sebastien Bassong insists he has little option but to quit Newcastle for an £8m move to Tottenham. The 23-year-old, who only joined Newcastle last summer, "Playing for Newcastle was a real honour in front of the supporters at St James' Park," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"It has been an unbelievable experience for me.

"But I have always said that I wanted to play in the Premier League and that wasn't possible with Newcastle.

"It was not good for my career to be at a Championship club. I want to play in future World Cups and African Cup of Nations competitions with Cameroon.

"That is made more difficult if you are not playing at the higher level."