Striker left Spurs for Swindon Town in 2014.
Former Tottenham Hotspur academy product Jonathan Obika has told November’s edition of Four Four Two magazine that he was ‘ready to move on’.
Obika rose through the ranks at White Hart Lane, making his first team debut in a Uefa Cup tie against NEC Nijmegen in 2008.
However, the striker made just three further appearances for Spurs and was loaned out no fewer than 11 times before his eventual departure in 2014.
Swindon paid an undisclosed fee for Obika, who remains at the County Ground almost two-and-a-half years on.
Despite the 26-year-old’s long-standing ties to the north Londoners, who were his local side, he admits the time was right to leave.
“I wanted to settle down so I think I was ready (to leave),” Obika told Four Four Two. I was at a point in my life where I was ready to move on and Swindon fitted the bill.”
For all the loan spells, Obika always retained a belief he could make it at Tottenham.
He added: “You always have a belief that you can play at the top level and will perhaps get a chance, perhaps in the FA Cup or Europa League.
“I knew I probably wasn’t going to get a run of games but I was confident that I could make it. I just needed something to click when I got the chance.”
Obika, whose cousin is the singer Lemar, has scored 24 goals in 85 appearances for Swindon, who are fifth from bottom in League One.
The former England Under-20 international played for seven different clubs while on Spurs’ books, notably Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
