Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe dismisses World Cup concerns as he seeks a fresh start in Toronto I only had a year left on my contract at Tottenham so when someone offers you four years you have to consider it. I'm excited. Everyone knows how I feel about Tottenham after nine years, and I've had a special relationship with the fans, but you move on - that is football. I'm 31, it's a great opportunity for me and my family. There were plenty of other clubs interested in the striker, who started at Charlton Athletic before playing for West Ham United and Portsmouth as well as his two spells at Spurs, but he said: "I wasn't aware [of other offers]. I just kept my head down, did not listen to the speculation and let the agents and club make the decision. Roy Hodgson has said that playing in America will not automatically rule the striker out of his World Cup plans, and Defoe said: "Hopefully the manager knows what I can do. I've played in the Premier League my whole career so there is not much more I need to prove. It's down to the manager - he picks the squad. I've always said if I'm picked to play for my country I will be ready. Defoe scored a typical poacher's goal after replacing Robert Soldado against Palace, his 143rd for Spurs and 22nd as a substitute, a Premier League record. Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood said: "He's one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen, his scoring record suggests that. It is not just the clubs he has played for. He has done it at international level too. His minutes per goal ratio is fantastic. I can't give enough praise to Jermain. He's a fantastic professional. Whenever he comes on he wants to turn the game, to prove that he is good enough to start a game. He knows we will use him as and when we need to. Robbie Soldado is a great striker who has scored goals wherever he has been and at international level, and Ade [Emmanuel Adebayor] gives us that physical presence, so we have an abundance at the moment. There is competition for places and will be right through the season, even when Jermain leaves at the end of February. Sherwood believes that Defoe will thrive in North America. We should give more credit to the MLS - it's not a rubbish league. Jermain needs to play regular football and he sees the MLS as the place he can do that, as well as having a lifestyle change. He will spend his final footballing days over there and I am sure that won't hinder his England chances because wherever he plays he will score goals.