Tottenham signed Fulham forward Clint Dempsey for an undisclosed fee in a surprise last-minute move on Friday, just moments before the transfer window closed.

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Fulham for the transfer of Clint Dempsey," Tottenham said on its website.

The United States international joined the north London club after Liverpool and Aston Villa were unable to complete a deal for the 7 million pound-rated ($11.1 million) star.

Fulham thanked the 29-year-old in a statement on its website. "Clint was a very influential player for Fulham over a number of seasons and the club thanks him for his contribution and wishes him well for the future."

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas gate-crashed the Dempsey chase after selling Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to Hamburg for about 10 million pounds earlier on Friday.

Meanwhile Spurs also sealed a deal for Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Lloris agreed a four-year contract with the north London club, who paid Lyon 8 million pounds to sign the 25-year-old French international.

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Olympique Lyonnais for the transfer of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris," a statement on the club's website confirmed.

(China Daily 09/02/2012 page7)