At last, Spurs splash out

TOTTENHAM last night completed the club record signing of Ajax central defender Davinson Sanchez by handing him a six-year contract. Work permit red tape means the 21-year-old Colombian international cannot make his debut in tomorrow’s clash with London rivals Chelsea, but he is expected to be presented to the Wembley crowd. Boss Mauricio Pochettino has been chasing the skillful star after tracking his performances as he helped take the Dutch club to last season’s Europa League final. And a summer of tough negotiations was ended when Ajax accepted a deal worth a total of £42million, made up of a £28m up-front payment and the remainder in add-ons for success. The deal smashes Spurs’ previous transfer record, the £30m paid to Newcastle for France midfielder Moussa Sissoko last summer. And Pochettino insists there could be as many as four more players to join the club before the window shuts on August 31. Sanchez (left), who built a reputation in Holland as a physical defender who is also good on the ball, said: ‘I am very excited to be signing for such a famous club. ‘I am looking forward to working with Mauricio Pochettino and the players and meeting everyone there.’ ‘It is a great move for me to come here to develop my career.’