Zamora spent three years at Brighton and Hove Albion where his goals caused him to be frequently linked with moves to the Premiership. Last year it was reported that Everton made a £3m offer for his signature which was turned down by the club. However, the 22 year old today ended months of speculation as he signed a three-year deal with Tottenham and will join up with their other summer signing, Portuguese forward Helder Postiga to North London.

"I'm overjoyed," said Zamora, "It has taken a long time but now I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Premiership.

"I know it will be different but it is up to me to learn and work hard and hope I get games."

Hoddle has been tracking Zamora's progress with Brighton and England for over a year now and was pleased to finally get his man who came to prominence when he scored 32 goals that helped Brighton gain promotion to Division One in 2002, the Spurs coach said: "I'm delighted to have signed Bobby. He's a proven goalscorer outside the Premiership and I'm sure he can now score goals in the Premiership.

"I like his movement. He is a clever player and at Spurs we have got players who can hit good movement - he might even get more chances here than at Brighton.

"He has a few strings to his bow and he's shown what a talent he's got to be able to take on different roles and produce the goods.

"We didn't get anyone in during the winter break and then we got some injuries and that hurt us. But that allowed us to have the financial clout to have a go in the summer."

Zamora's former manager at Brighton, Steve Coppell, also praised the London-born striker: "He has been a loyal servant for Brighton, particularly with his goals," he said.

"Every player has got to have the ambition to play in the Premiership.

Player Profile

Name: Bobby Zamora
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 11.11
DOB: 16th January 1981
POB: London
Position: Forward
Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Year

Club

Apps

Goals

1999-00

Bristol Rovers

6

0

1999-00

Bath City (loan)

6

8

1999-00

Brighton HA (loan)

6

6

2000-01

Brighton HA

48

31

2001-02

Brighton HA

46

32

2002-03

Brighton HA

36

14


Zamora's move from the Seaside town follows only hours after Paul Merson's switch from just up the road in Portsmouth to First Division outfit Walsall. The former England and Arsenal midfielder said that it was the Saddlers' "total football'' philosophy that helped him make his mind on the transfer.

Merson agreed a two-year deal at the Bescot Stadium and is expected to make his expected debut in a pre-season friendly scheduled for Moor Green's Moorlands ground this evening. He will also be handed the role of captain by boss Colin Lee.

The 35 year old said: "I like the way Walsall play football because they play a total football style and I want to be a part of that.

"I read stories saying I didn't think I'd be up to another season in the Premiership with Portsmouth but last season I was living in the Midlands, getting up at 6.30am and driving down there for training.

"I was driving 35,000 miles in a season which is a lot of miles but at least I was getting days off.

"But Harry Redknapp said I wouldn't be getting any days off this season and I just thought it wasn't possible to carry on that way.

"I don't want to move from the Midlands, my family are very happy here, and so it doesn't look as if I'll get the chance to see if I could have managed another season in the top flight does it?"

However, Merson continued: "You never know what can happen in football and who would have said at the start of last season Portsmouth would go on to win the Division One championship and be promoted to the Premiership?

"I enjoy playing football, everyone knows that, and in the end that's about the only thing I know how to do."

Lee added: "I'm delighted Paul has joined us because only a few weeks ago it was the sort of signing not many people would have dreamed we could pull off."