Tottenham sign Kevin Wimmer from FC Koln for £4.3m

Austrian centre-back Kevin Wimmer agrees four-year deal

Tottenham sign Kevin Wimmer from FC Koln for £4.3m
New boy: Kevin Wimmer (right) has joined Spurs from FC Koln Credit: Photo: AFP

Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move of the summer transfer market by signing Austrian international Kevin Wimmer.

The 22-year-old central defender played his last game for his present club, FC Koln, on Saturday as they drew 2-2 in the Bundesliga against Wolfsburg before saying his goodbyes and is now moving to Spurs. The fee is thought to be around 6million euros (£4.3million).

The deal is expected to be formally confirmed within the next two weeks with Wimmer agreeing a four-year contract to move to White Hart Lane.

It is due to be a busy summer of transfer activity at Spurs with manager Mauricio Pochettino having used this season to assess his squad.

Bolstering his defence is regarded as a key area with Younes Kaboul, who started the season as captain but who fell out of favour, among several players for sale. There are also question marks over the Romanian international Vlad Chiriches.

Spurs are also desperate to find buyers for striker Emmanuel Adebayor and midfielder Paulinho.

Wimmer has been capped by Austria having joined Koln in 2012 from Linz for just 250,000 euros. He made his Bundesliga breakthrough this season and, at 6ft 2in, is believed to have the physical presence to compete in the Premier League.

Spurs want to build their team around a core of young players who Pochettino has been encouraged to bring through. The club has also bought 21-year-old American right-back DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders and the 18-year-old midfielder Dele Alli from MK Dons.