Tottenham left-back Gareth Bale is confident his £10 million price-tag won't weigh him down.

"I don't really think about any of the fear or anything like that," said the 18-year-old Wales left-back. "I'm here for footballing reasons and I just want to do my bit on the pitch.

"Obviously it's a lot different to Southampton, but I'm really enjoying it at the moment. I've already learned a lot from the players in training."

Spurs manager Martin Jol rates Bale one of football's most exciting young prospects.

Jol dismissed suggestions he has taken a gamble by paying such a high price for a player without Premiership experience.

"We made a lot of enquires [about Gareth], we watched him play over the last two years, so we know what a good professional he is," said Jol.

"He played 48 games last season which is tremendous for a 17-year-old.

"He looks about 21 so I think it's great to have someone who is so young but who can already play at international level.

"I think he's the best under 20 player, especially on the left flank. He played against St Patrick's a couple of weeks ago and he looked the part."

After opening the new season with a trip to newly-promoted Sunderland, Spurs' next away game will be against champions Manchester United on 26 August.

Bale says he is already relishing the prospect of playing against his childhood hero Ryan Giggs for the first time.

"I play on the left as well so I have tried to take certain elements from his game and adapt them into mine," said Bale.

"I have never played against him before so I am looking forward to that this season."