Tottenham are poised to sign Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora from French club St Etienne. The 25-year-old played every minute of his country's World Cup finals campaign, as Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to both Argentina and Holland before beating Serbia and Montenegro 3-2.
Renowned as a fierce competitor and ball winner, Zokora also missed just one of the Elephants' World Cup qualifying games and helped them finish second in this year's African Nations Cup.
He told the News of the World: "It's done. I am a Tottenham player now. The two clubs have reached an agreement and I can't wait.
"In my mind I'm already a Tottenham player. I've not spoken to anyone from the club as my agent has conducted all the talks, but I am happy."
Zokora had also been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but feels he will get more of a chance to play a leading role at Spurs.
"Tottenham were the ones who made it concrete and from the moment I knew I would be a first-team regular, I didn't think twice," added Zokora.
"I chose Tottenham because they are going places and I was assured I would get plenty of chances to show what I can do.
"Tottenham proved to me that they are improving as a team and have the ambition to go much higher. I wanted to join a Premiership club and the chance to live in London was an added attraction."
The 25-year-old played every minute of his country's World Cup finals campaign, as Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to both Argentina and Holland before beating Serbia and Montenegro 3-2.
Renowned as a fierce competitor and ball winner, Zokora also missed just one of the Elephants' World Cup qualifying games and helped them finish second in this year's African Nations Cup.
He told the News of the World: "It's done. I am a Tottenham player now. The two clubs have reached an agreement and I can't wait.
"In my mind I'm already a Tottenham player. I've not spoken to anyone from the club as my agent has conducted all the talks, but I am happy."
Zokora had also been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but feels he will get more of a chance to play a leading role at Spurs.
"Tottenham were the ones who made it concrete and from the moment I knew I would be a first-team regular, I didn't think twice," added Zokora.
"I chose Tottenham because they are going places and I was assured I would get plenty of chances to show what I can do.
"Tottenham proved to me that they are improving as a team and have the ambition to go much higher. I wanted to join a Premiership club and the chance to live in London was an added attraction."
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