Hoddle (l) finally lands Richards

"He's going to be a big plus to the squad and it (the signing) sends out a signal that we're a club that wants to go somewhere.

"All the top clubs have got depth to their squads and we're trying to build that depth of squad here."

"We're delighted that it's all being sorted out and that Dean can now concentrate on the job in hand here. I'm looking forward to working with him again.

"The board have been fantastic in supporting me in this deal and I'm sure Dean will prove that he's a very good player.

"At 27, he should be at his peak. I think he can get better - that's why we were prepared to pay the fee - and eventually he can push himself into the England squad. I certainly hope so because he's got a lot of talent.

"He's got to adjust to coming to a bigger club and it will probably take a little bit of time to settle."

Richards, 27, will have to wait for Spurs' next Premiership clash, against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford, to make his debut.

Spurs' new boy said: "It's been a bit of a nightmare for the last six weeks. Now I'm looking forward to getting on with my football.

"I had the best season of my career last season and a lot of that was down to what Glenn taught me on the training pitch.

"It's nice that Glenn's said I could go on to play for England but one step at a time. I want to settle in here and do well for Spurs first.

"It's a great move for me. I had two great years at Southampton but when Spurs were interested it was definitely a move that I wanted.

"I said to Stuart Gray, when the transfer talk started, that I wouldn't let it affect my performances.

"I carried on playing and every time I played for Southampton I gave 100%. The fee is nothing to do with me, it's between the two clubs, and I'll do the same for Spurs as I did for Southampton. I'll go out every week and do my best."

It is the end of lengthy, and sometimes bitter, transfer pursuit by Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe was still angry at the way Spurs poached boss Hoddle last season, calling the club "North London yobbos."

And he firmly rejected offers of �4m and �7.5m before finally agreeing a fee with Spurs.

The deal was then struck by the late hitch, and also the question of Richard being willing to waive a large financial stake in the deal.

But Hoddle was determined to land his man after Spurs were hit by a defensive crisis and met the Saints' asking price.