Davids to join Spurs

Tottenham expect to complete the signing of Edgar Davids in the next 48 hours after pinpointing the Dutchman as just the player to get the most out of their talented youngsters.

The experienced Holland international is poised to seal his move from Inter Milan to White Hart Lane after Tottenham persuaded the Italians to release Davids on a free transfer.

Davids, 32, must pass a medical but personal terms are likely to be a formality.

Tottenham have one eye on the future, and their signings in the past 12 months have largely been British and full of potential, rather than the finished product.

Until news of Davids’ arrival, their most notable summer signings had been those of winger Wayne Routledge, 20, from Crystal Palace, 18-year-old midfielder Tom Huddlestone from Derby, and Leeds forward Aaron Lennon, also 18.

Chris Hughton, a prominent member of head coach Martin Jol’s staff, insists that the wily Davids should help the first team achieve short-term gains with a view to sustained success.

“An experienced head that so much can go through is invaluable for all sides, and I am sure that is what he will add to us,” said the former Republic of Ireland defender.

“There’s an aura about him, and you want to play against the best, but the possibility to play with someone of his stature will bring them all on.”

Hughton is confident there should be no hitch to the deal.

Davids was in and out of the Inter side last season and Hughton believes Tottenham’s confidence in closing out the deal indicates they are now certain of getting their man.

“I should very much think so. The fact the club have made the announcement we have suggests hopefully things are quite close,” he told BBC Five Live.

Barring any unforeseen problems, Davids, a midfield warrior, should be Tottenham’s player by the end of the week and could make his debut in a friendly at Reading on Saturday.

“The club have worked very hard behind the scenes,” said Hughton. “He’s certainly a wonderful addition to our squad.

“He’s a very experienced international player that is still regarded as a top-class player and with what we have got here at the moment – a talented but young squad – to bring in someone with his experience will be good for us.

“If I look at the qualities he has got, the thing that attracts him to the English game is he is very much a competitor, he works very hard in the middle of the park. He’s not a goalscorer but has a creative side to his game.”