Gareth Bale wants to help Tottenham continue their progress following his £10million move from Southampton.

Spurs have finished fifth in their last two Premiership campaigns and boss Martin Jol has already started his plans for next year by recruiting 17-year-old Wales left-back Bale.

The youngster told official website www.tottenhamhotspur.com: "It is a club pushing forward, having finished fifth for the past two years.

"The young players here are progressing and the future looks bright with them doing well in the Premiership.

"It hasn't all really sunk in yet, but I am looking forward to it and can't wait to start playing." Jol wants to increase numbers at White Hart Lane after seeing his squad stretched during three cup runs last season, with Younes Kaboul tipped for a move from French side Auxerre.

Derby winger Giles Barnes, however, appears to have ruled himself out of a move to join his former room-mate Tom Huddlestone.

After helping his side win promotion to the top flight, he said: "It was Arsenal, and not Tottenham, who were my favourite club when I was growing up and so I am looking forward to the chance of playing for Derby."