Tottenham complete record £26m deal for Spain striker Roberto Soldado

The 28-year-old from Valencia has passed his medical at White Hart Lane

Roberto Soldado (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham have completed the record signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia after the striker passed a medical.

Having relied heavily on Gareth Bale's scoring prowess last year, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas made signing a striker his priority this summer and that search has ended after 28-year-old Soldado completed his move to White Hart Lane this afternoon.

The Spain hitman, who scored 30 goals in 46 appearances for Valencia last season, is thought to have cost Tottenham around £26million - making him the most expensive acquisition in the Barclays Premier League club's history.

Valencia announced last week that Tottenham had activated the release clause in the striker's contract, paving the way for him to move to the English capital.

A Tottenham statement read: "We are delighted to confirm the signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia after the player successfully completed his medical."

Soldado began his career at Real Madrid, but three years ago he moved back to his hometown club of Valencia, where his performances earned him a regular place in the Spain squad.

The capture of Soldado means Spurs have broken their transfer record twice in four weeks, with Paulinho's £17million arrival last month eclipsing the £16million fee the club paid for Luka Modric in 2008.

Soldado, who could make his debut in Saturday's friendly against Espanyol, will complete with Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor for a place in the starting XI, although doubts have been raised over whether the latter two will be at White Hart Lane by the start of the season.

Bale scored 26 goals for Tottenham last season, but Real Madrid have shown serious interest in the Welshman and it looks as if the player might leave north London before the start of the season.

PA