Tottenham complete Eric Dier signing

As expected, Spurs, who are 10/3 to finish in the top four of the Premier League next term, have completed the capture of centre back Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £4m. The England Under-21 international has signed a five-year deal at White Hart Lane, as new boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to re-shape his defence, and possibly plan for life without Michael Dawson.

“It has always been my ambition and my dream to come back to England and play in the Premier League,” said Dier, after he spent 18 months on loan at Everton’s youth team across 2011 and 2012.

“I’ve watched a lot of Tottenham and I’ve always enjoyed the way they play, their attacking football. I think, coming from Portugal, that suits me and this season I just want to adapt really quickly to the Premier League and do the best I can.”

He becomes the club’s third signing of the summer, after Spurs signed left back Ben Davies, and goalkeeper Michel Vorm from Swansea.

Dier has already played with a number of Tottenham players, such as Andros Townsend, Harry Kane, Tom Carroll and Ezekiel “Zeki” Fryers in England youth teams, so should make a smooth and seamless transition to life in London. Born in Cheltenham, the player moved out to Portugal in 2004, so his mother could work at the football European Championship in catering. However, although his family moved back to England, Dier stayed out there and pursued a career in football with Sporting Lisbon.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Iago Falque looks set to move to Italian Serie A outfit Genoa, subject to a successful medical. The former Juventus winger has only made one appearance in the Premier League for the north London club in three years, and will become the fourth player to leave Tottenham during this summer’s transfer window.

Dier could make his debut in the club’s opening match, away against West Ham, a fixture Spurs are 6/5 favourites to win.