Spurs onto a Wimmer with capture of Cologne and Austria defender

Tottenham, 5/1 chances with Coral to finish in next season’s Premier League top four, have announced the signing of Austria international defender Kevin Wimmer on a five-year deal from Bundesliga outfit Cologne.

Capped once by his country, 22-year-old Wimmer is a highly-rated centre back that Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the White Hart Lane hierarchy are understood to have been tracking for some time.

“Kevin’s gone on to become a regular in the Cologne defence, as they earned promotion to the German top-flight,” a statement on Tottenham’s official website said. “He was a standout performer in their first season back in the Bundesliga.”

SIGNED: We are delighted to announce that we have completed the signing of @kevin28wimmer from 1. FC Köln. #COYS pic.twitter.com/6eqaXlXM2j

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 29, 2015

Turning out 32 times for Cologne this term, Wimmer will link up with his new Tottenham teammates next month. Central defence is once again an area emphasised in the north London club’s recruitment.

Pochettino moved for compatriot Federico Fazio last summer, signing the Argentina international from Europa League holders Sevilla, with England Under-21 defender Eric Dier also arriving then from Sporting Lisbon.

During the previous close season, Spurs signed Romanian Vlad Chiriches and in 2012 bought Jan Vertonghen from Ajax. This makes it the summer running where a centre half has been brought to the club.