Jermain Defoe: 'Leaving West Ham United was a massive mistake'

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has admitted that he made a "massive mistake" leaving West Ham United in 2004.

The England international moved to White Hart Lane for a £6m fee after lodging a transfer request at Upton Park following their drop into the Championship.

"It was a massive mistake," Defoe told ITV4's Sport Life Stories. "I didn't really want to do it.

"We're talking about leaving the club I was in love with at the time because I came through the youth system with my friends, the fans loved me there. They were brilliant - every game they sang my name."

Defoe has dropped down the pecking order at Spurs under manager Andre Villas-Boas this season.