Hull City snapped up midfielder Ryan Mason from Tottenham last month.
Erik Lamela celebrates with Ryan Mason
Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason has spoken to the Daily Star about leaving Tottenham, claiming he decided to leave two weeks ago.
Mason, 25, came up through the ranks with Spurs having joined his boyhood club back in 1999, but it looked like he would fail to make the grade with the club before Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment in 2014.
Ryan Mason celebrates scoring for Tottenham
After loan spells with Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Lorient and Swindon Town, Mason appeared to be heading out of White Hart Lane, but Pochettino not only kept him around, but handed him regular first-team football.
With 31 Premier League appearances during the 2014-15 season, Mason even earned an England cap, but fell down the pecking order last season – and his chances of playing this term were only harmed by the signing of Victor Wanyama.
Mason didn’t kick a ball in the first three games of the new Premier League season, and just a day before the transfer deadline, he decided to move on and join Premier League rivals Hull City.
West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell in action with Ryan Mason
The midfielder played 17 minutes as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, and will be looking to kick on at the KCOM Stadium under Mike Phelan – but has also explained his decision to leave Spurs after 17 years with the club.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Mason admitted that he decided to leave the club just over two weeks ago, having been left completely out of the Spurs squads, with teenager Harry Winks preferred by Pochettino.
Mason added that he doesn’t regret anything and just felt it was time for change, and noted that the presence of former Spurs team-mates Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore has been a great help to him.
Ryan Mason in action with Hull’s David Meyler
“A lot of people have asked if it was a wrench to leave but the time felt right,” said Mason. “I reached my decision to move on about two weeks ago. I didn’t get any game time in the first two matches, and I’m the type who just wants to play football, so when the chance came up for a fresh challenge I accepted it.”
“My intention was to stay at Spurs and break into the team, but that wasn’t happening and I didn’t want to sit around for six or seven months not playing. The opportunity arose to join Hull and I didn’t hesitate. I went with my gut instinct and I’m happy I made the decision. It feels right and I’ve no regrets. Having the three lads from Spurs has helped me to settle in,” he added.
Do you think Mason will be a success at Hull?
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