Tottenham sign Schalke ace (From Haringey Independent)

Tottenham Hotspur complete the signing of Schalke and Germany Under-21 midfielder Lewis Holtby

5:31pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Spurs

Spurs have completed a deal for Schalke midfielder and Germany Under-21 captain Lewis Holtby with the player set to join in July subject to a medical.

Tottenham today announced on their official website: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Germany Under-21 captain Lewis Holtby to join the Club in July from Bundesliga side Schalke, subject to a medical."

Holtby is out of contract in the summer and was therefore free to talk to other clubs on January 1.

Arsenal were also believed to be keen on the talented midfielder but the 22-year-old has chosen White Hart Lane as his preferred destination.

That will come as a boost for Tottenham who have been trying to bolster their creative options since the departures of Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric last summer.

Assistant manager Steffen Freund, who knows Holtby well, said yesterday: "For Lewis it would not be a problem because he is half-English and loves the Premier League.

"I know him, he is the captain of the German Under-21 team and will lead them at the European Championship in Israel next summer.

"He is out of contract at the age of 22. I don't think I have to say any more. I don't know him well but what I can say is that he is a really good player."

Holtby has also made three appearances for the senior Germany side and has been at Schalke since 2009, scoring 11 goals in 75 appearances.