Transfer news: Tottenham sign French international Etienne Capoue in £9m deal

Midfielder moves to White Hart Lane from Ligue 1 side Toulouse

Etienne Capoue signed for Tottenham from Toulouse today (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue from Toulouse for a reported £9m. The 25-year-old, who can also play in defence, has won seven caps for the French national team and will join up with Andre-Villas Boas’ squad immediately.

The signing of Capoue pushes Spurs’ summer spending towards £60m, after the captures of Roberto Soldado (£26m from Valencia), Paulinho (£17m from Corinthians) and Nacer Chadli (£7.5m from FC Twente).

“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Toulouse for the transfer of Etienne Capoue,” Tottenham announced on their official Twitter account this morning.

Capoue revealed last night after playing France’s 0-0 draw with Belgium: “There are only some paperwork to sign now. I will be at the training ground [on Thursday].

"Tottenham is a super club. It's the best club to continue my career. It should be official very quickly.”

The versatile Capoue has been an ever-present in the Toulouse side, making over 30 league appearances in each of the last five seasons for the club, and will add some much needed competition for places in Tottenham’s defence and midfield, after the club sold Steven Caulker and Tom Huddlestone, and William Gallas was released.

Meanwhile, fellow new addition at White Hart Lane, the striker Soldado, has challenged himself to score 20 goals for Spurs this season.

“I have tried to score (20 goals a season) and every time I have done it,' said Soldado, speaking at the unveiling of Tottenham’s new cup shirt sponsor AIA.

“This season I am going to try my best from the first day to get back to scoring because they signed me because of this reason.

“My objective is to score more than 20 goals. With the help of my team-mates I can do it,” the Spaniard, who scored 24 goals in La Liga for Valencia last season added.

“The Premier League is a much more physically strong league than Spain.

"But the football is also played at a higher tempo and I think this will benefit me.”