Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.

It has been a deal long mooted but it was never really close to actually happening, especially not with the sums potentially involved in any transfer.

But chairman Daniel Levy found a way to get the Wales international back in north London.

He has struck a loan deal for Bale, and the club hold the option to extend the deal for another season should it be a success.

Thus far, he has come on as a substitute against West Ham United – the less said about that the better from a Spurs point of view – and then made his first start on Thursday against LASK Linz in the Europa League.

Bale was not in electric form in the game but he continues to build his match fitness, so one can understand why he was not tearing past players as he has shown he can do in the past.

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But he did make an impact, setting up the own goal that gave Spurs a 2-0 lead in the 3-0 win, and was eventually substituted in the second half.

And Wales Online has carried quotes from Bale, given to BT Sport after the game, in which he reflected on making his comeback.

Having been booed and whistled during his time at Real – still a remarkable thing, given that he won four Champions League titles at the club – he claims he is now feeling the love at Spurs.

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He said: “It’s amazing. Obviously, it's a big reason why I play well and want to come back.

"You want to be loved, you want to be appreciated and obviously, I'll give everything for Spurs.

"When I get fully match fit, I will be up and running and hopefully contribute even more."

GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…

These kind of quotes will only whet the appetite of supporters.

Bale has yet to show just how good he can be since his return but he is clearly a genuinely world-class player.

The Welshman has brilliant memories of his time at Spurs, clearly, and he is feeling the love, which means he is only likely to grow and improve under the management of Jose Mourinho.

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That is a mouthwatering prospect.

While it may take some time, he will eventually reach his peak again, surely.