Featured Image Credit: Spurs - Instagram/ivanperisic444
Topics: Ivan Perisic, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Antonio Conte, Inter Milan
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Ivan Perisic, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Antonio Conte, Inter Milan
You may be surprised to learn that new Spurs signing Ivan Perisic has played professionally in another sport.
The 33-year-old winger will reunite with former Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte for the 2022/23 campaign after he penned a two-year deal with the Premier League club this week.
Having played in multiple positions throughout his career for club and country, Perisic's versatility is seen as one of his biggest strengths. He can play as a wing-back and an attacking midfielder, not to mention a second striker.
I mean, the experienced Croatian can even make his way around a beach volleyball court if needs be.
That's right. Back in the summer of 2017, Perisic took part in his first International Volleyball Federation Beach World Tour event after being handed a wildcard entry to represent his country.
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The former Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg winger confirmed ahead of schedule that he had been given permission to play in a tournament of the "highest importance".
“My only wish is to stay in the tournament for as long as possible," he said before the event kicked off. “I hope my participation in Porec will help promote this unique tournament and promote this beautiful sport.
"And the fee that we will receive as a team from the organisers will be donated to the National Federation to benefit the development of Croatian beach volleyball players.”
Perisic and his partner Dell’Orco were handed a tough draw in Pool A, alongside Alvaro/Saymon and American pair Brunner/Patterson and Gibb/Taylor Crabb as they played for a total prize pot of $600,000.
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In their first game, they lost to Alvaro/Saymon 0:2 (10:21, 10:21) and unfortunately for the pair, things didn't get much better as they failed to record a single win in their next two games.
Perisic, however, was still upbeat about taking part in his first professional tournament.
"This was always my dream," the Croatia international said. "I have been playing beach volleyball since I was 10. I'm very passionate about this game and every summer I have been practising with my friend.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to play with the best beach volleyball players in the world. It felt amazing – even though I lost."
Five years on and Perisic is looking forward to getting started in North London with former boss Antonio Conte.
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“From the first time I was in contact with the coach and sporting director, I told them that I really wanted to come here,” Perisic told Spurs' official website.
“Ever since 2009, when I started playing professional football in Belgium, I was so close a few times to coming to the Premier League and, at last, this is the moment. I can’t wait.
“I’m going to bring, first of all, a lot of hard work. I like to work a lot, I like to work for the team because only like this you can win something important. I can play several positions in the system Tottenham is playing now.
"I will bring a lot of experience as well," the winger added. "I’ve played for a lot of great clubs and, like I said, I can’t wait to start to play, to train and give my best.”