Hugo Lloris reaffirms commitment to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Europa League opener

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has reaffirmed his commitment to the North London club ahead of the kick off of their Europa League campaign against Qarabag. The France international has previously revealed that Manchester United were interested in signing him during the summer transfer window, and Lloris has been faced further questions over his future.

Since moving to White Hart Lane in the summer of 2012, Loris has made over a century of appearance for Spurs and is a key figure inthe reign of Mauricio Pochettino, having been appointed club captain following the departure of Younes Kaboul. Lloris has already kept two clean sheets this season, the latest coming as his side claimed their first win of the season over Sunderland.

However, ahead of Tottenham's first European game of the campaign against the Azerbaijan minnows, Lloris has been forced to answer more queries into where his future lies, questions sparked by him revealing that United had an interest in him last summer. "Of course I am happy here," he said, according to Eurosport.

"I have already replied to that type of question. The only thing I can say today is I am happy at Tottenham and I will do my best to help the team get the best results possible. I do not talk about my future or my past, I am just focused on the game tomorrow and the Premier League as well.

"There are a lot of competitions for me to play. I am happy to be at Tottenham and their captain. I am just focused on the present. I am not here to talk about my future or past. I'm just focused on the Europa League game against Qarabag and the Premier League as well."

Though the Europa League has proven to be an unwanted distraction during previous seasons, the additional carrot of a Champions League place being on offer for the victorious team means Tottenham would be well advised to take the continent's second-tier competition more seriously. Lloris is hopeful his side will make an impression.

"I think European competition is always important when you are a player," he added. "Each game is important and we know tomorrow we need a first win because the next two games are away against very good teams in Anderlecht and Monaco.

"We expect a tough game because European competition is always hard so we need to be focused and have the mentality of winning. I expect more from Tottenham and I expect more from me as well. We need to go as far as possible in the competition.

"We know it is a trophy to get and you play only to win. There is also a possibility to get to the Champions League if you win the final. It is so far away that we are focused on the group stage and the target is to finish first."