Spurs sign Federico Fazio on four-year deal

Tottenham, 11/4 to finish in the top four this season, have completed the signing of Argentine centre back Federico Fazio from Sevilla.

After club captain Michael Dawson joined Hull City, a transfer that Coral reported would happen some weeks ago, new boss Mauricio Pochettino has moved quickly to secure the signature of his compatriot, meeting the player’s £8m buy-out clause.

Spurs have enjoyed a good start to the Premier League season, securing a 1-0 away win at West Ham United, before triumphing 4-0 at home over QPR. Fazio offers an imposing presence, having helped Sevilla to a Europa League victory, and a fifth-place La Liga finish last term.

At 27 years old, he is approaching the peak of his career and will only strengthen a rearguard at White Hart Lane that is yet to concede this season in the league. They have already added the hugely impressive Eric Dier to their ranks, as well as left back Ben Davies from Swansea City.

Having passed a medical at the club’s training ground Fazio said: “I come to Tottenham because I think it’s a very good team, a very good club, very good fans.

He continued: “I’m really happy to be here at this club, this great club with very good players. I’m really happy to be here.

“I know Spurs is a historic club in this country & league. This is a great club & I’m very happy to be here.”

Fazio’s experience, especially of playing in Europe, will be invaluable to Spurs, who in Pochettino have a manager that will no doubt want to win the competition to significantly boost his stock.

While the new boss seems to have solved Spurs’ attacking problems, defensive midfielder and recruit from last summer Etienne Capoue looks like a different player and is showing signs that he is adapting on the pitch.

Now twice-capped Argentine Fazio has been added, frailties in the back four from last season may be taken care of, and could be a sign that Spurs, 14/1 favourites to win the Europa League, have finally recovered from losing Gareth Bale.