JERMAIN Defoe described his return to Tottenham as “brilliant”'

and was delighted with the reception he got from fans at White Hart Lane last night.

The striker was paraded in front of supporters (pictured left) before the Carling Cup semi-final first leg 4-1 win over Burnley following his £15m move from Portsmouth, just a year after he left Spurs for regular first-team football.

Robbie Keane and Dmitiar Berbatov were keeping Defoe out of the team when he was sold by thenmanager Juande Ramos, but both have now moved on, leaving boss Harry Redknapp in need of reinforcements up front.

Defoe, 26, has played under Redknapp at three other clubs – Bournemouth, West Ham and Pompey – and said he was a major influence in the transfer.

“It’s great to be back – brilliant,”

the England striker said. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“A number of things made me return. Obviously everyone knows the manager was a major factor.

“My family still live in London and the fans were a factor too. You can tell by the reception I got.”

Defoe admitted he was loathe to leave White Hart Lane a year ago, and Tottenham fans continued to sing his name while he went on a run of eight goals in his first seven Pompey games.

“I never wanted to leave, but as a professional there comes a time when you think you need to move on,” Defoe added. “I did in order to improve my England career but I didn’t want to go.”

Defoe left Spurs for £9m and, although the value of his return means they will be paying more, instalments from previous deals to take players to Fratton Park formed part of the discussions between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie.

Defoe is expected to be in the squad to face Wigan at the JJB Stadium at the weekend, with Spurs 16th in the Premier League and desperate to climb the table.