Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich.
The 30-year-old midfielder has joined on loan until the end of the season and an option to turn the deal permanent next summer has been included.
It was reported that Palhinha would undergo his medical checks over the weekend ahead of putting pen to paper, and that Spurs would cover his wages in full.
He was placed on the transfer list by Bayern just a year after he joined the Bundesliga champions from Fulham in a deal worth around £45million.
Palhinha impressed during his previous stint in the Premier League with Fulham but made just 10 appearances for Vincent Kompany’s side last season.
While at Craven Cottage, he played 79 times for the Cottagers over a two-year spell and won the club’s player of the season award during his debut campaign.
Tottenham have officially confirmed the loan signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich
The midfielder is Thomas Frank’s fifth summer arrival ahead of his first campaign in charge
He had attracted interest from other Premier League sides, including Fulham.
Palhinha still had three years left on contract at Bayern and wanted to fight for his place, but it quickly became apparent that he was not part of Kompany’s plans.
Spurs bolstered Thomas Frank’s squad with the arrival of playmaker Mohammed Kudus in a £55m swoop on West Ham, while forward Mathys Tel’s loan stay – also from Bayern – was turned permanent. He agreed to a six-year contract.
Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai arrived from Hadjuk Split and Kawasaki respectively.
Palhinha’s move was announced just a matter of hours after James Maddison suffered a brutal injury setback during a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in pre-season.
Maddison looked to sustain a serious issue to his right knee after an innocuous challenge and Frank delivered a downbeat assessment while speaking after the match, which also proved to be Son Heung-min’s Spurs farewell.
‘Sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal,’ said Frank.
‘That’s what we got today. It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.
‘We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.’
