Carrick completes £3.5m Spurs move

Michael Carrick believes Tottenham Hotspur have "a very bright future" after he completed his move to White Hart Lane from West Ham yesterday.

Michael Carrick believes Tottenham Hotspur have "a very bright future" after he completed his move to White Hart Lane from West Ham yesterday.

The 23-year-old midfielder had been targeted by several Premiership clubs but chose Spurs because he believes the new managerial set-up of the sporting director, Frank Arnesen, and the coach, Jacques Santini, can bring rewards. "They are desperate for success," he said. "The squad Frank Arnesen and Jacques Santini are assembling is very promising.

"The young English contingent was a massive factor in my signing. The club has a very bright future."

Midfielder Carrick, who is believed to have cost around £3.5m, is Spurs' second signing inside 24 hours after club officials also announced the £1.7m transfer of the defender Noé Pamarot from Nice.

"He's very quick and strong, a powerful defender who is also extremely comfortable on the ball," said Arnesen.

"Noé's made his mark at the highest level in French football over the past five years and he's going to be a major asset as a Spurs player," Arnesen told the official club website.

Tottenham turned their attention to Carrick after failing with their attempts to sign Owen Hargreaves, who decided to stay at Bayern Munich, and Danny Murphy, who joined Charlton.

He was also being trailed by Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Everton and Arsenal - although the Gunners withdrew their interest.

Carrick added: "I was a bit nervous as it was the first move in my career but it was an ideal move for me - I'm from the area. To be honest I'm really excited. I haven't played for three weeks now so I'm really looking forward to getting started."

Portsmouth, with whom the right-back spent eight months, claimed to have agreed a fee with West Ham and were angered by the midfielder's reluctance to join them, and his subsequent decision to move elsewhere.

Both new players are in line to make their debuts at West Bromwich Albion tonight.

The team that never was

How West Ham sold off their young generation

Rio Ferdinand to Leeds for £18m in November 2000 *
Frank Lampard to Chelsea for £11m in June 2001
Glen Johnson to Chelsea for £6m in July 2003
Joe Cole to Chelsea for £6.6m in August 2003
Jermaine Defoe to Spurs for £7m in January 2004
Michael Carrick to Spurs for £3.5m in August 2004

* Then on to Manchester United for £30m in July 2002