Tottenham have completed the signing of Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches.
The centre-back,
who has 19 senior caps for Romania, is believed to have cost Spurs in the region of £8.5m and is the first of at least three players Andre Villas-Boas hopes to sign before Monday's transfer deadline.
Chiriches, 23, joined Benfica in 2007 but moved back to Romania after a less than fruitful 12 months, first with the ill-fated International team that was dissolved in 2011.
A move to Pandurii Targu Jiu followed before a transfer to Steaua at the start of the 2012 season, where he made 40 league appearances across two seasons and another two at the start of 2013-14.
He was also a regular in their European side, scoring three goals in 13 games last season.
"For me, this is something incredible. A dream come true. Spurs play very good football and this is my type of football," Chiriches said.
Spurs are also hopeful of signing Roma forward Erik Lamela and Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen before Monday's late night deadline.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8896982/transfer-news-tottenham-seal-deal-for-steaua-bucharest-defender-vlad-chiriches