Spurs snap up Holtby from Schalke

Tottenham have confirmed Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby will join the club at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old midfielder had previously been tracked by Arsenal and Liverpool, but Spurs have now announced the Germany international will sign for the north London outfit in July, subject to a medical.

Spurs concluded the deal on Friday after sending representatives to Qatar, where the Schalke squad are taking part in a warm weather training camp.

Holtby had publicly declared his intention to leave the Veltins-Arena at when his contract expires at the end of the season and was believed to have been eager for a move to the English Premier League.

The player’s desire for regular football and to play in European competition – Spurs are third in the Premier League as they target a top-four finish and access to the Champions League – are believed to be key factors in his decision.

Holtby’s move will see him leave Germany for the first time after spells with Alemannia Aachen, Bochum and Mainz before moving to Schalke in 2009.

Schalke had been desperate to keep Holtby beyond the end of the season but the creative midfielder declined to follow striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in committing his future to the club.

Spurs will press ahead with their attempts to sign Joao Moutinho from Porto but Holtby provides a quality long-term midfield option for manager Andre Villas-Boas.

He becomes the north London side’s second signing of the month after former Manchester United defender Ezekiel Fryers arrived from Standard Liege on Thursday.